Case studies
For Alibha, it is the pride of working hard and never giving up, it is the excitement of spreading her wings and grabbing opportunities toward a bright future. She’s not just an inspiration—she’s a shining example for many girls in her community. With unyielding courage and perseverance, she has shown that when you never stop striving, you can change your world.
This story celebrates Alibha’s journey of strength, dreams and determination.
Alibha Bhoi is from Ainlapada, a small village in the Jharsuguda district in Odisha. Her village is in Lakhanpur Gram Panchayat, surrounded by coal mines. Where the option for most people is to take up precarious work at the coal mines or power plants, Alibha dared to dream differently.
...
She is 23 years old, the second eldest of four siblings, and loves Bollywood movies and songs. Her father, a farmer, had to stop working due to ongoing health problems, and her mother stays at home to take care of the family. From a young age, Alibha saw her family’s financial struggles and chose to take responsibility to help them.
Guided by her uncle, who said that the ITI Electrical course could lead to a job as an electrician and help her support her family, Alibha enrolled in the course at the Hirakud ITI College after finishing school in Bhubaneswar. Her dedication was evident from the beginning that her instructors asked her to mentor junior students.
Alibha’s hard work during her apprenticeship with Aditya Birla earned her a one-year contract job. When the contract ended, she joined the Vikalp program to improve her skills, build her confidence, and learn how to succeed in interviews.
Alibha learned about the Non-Executive Trainee – Electrical position at Odisha Hydropower Generation Corporation (OHGC) through her uncle and aunt. She focused her efforts and began preparing for the job. Her dedication paid off and she was offered the position and officially joined OHGC on January 29th, 2024. Today, she proudly works at the OHGC office in Anugul district, Odisha.
Alibha’s dreams continue to grow. She aspires to become a loco pilot, drawing inspiration from those around her, including her high school teacher and her father, who never gave up on her. She’s a role model for her younger sister, who is now pursuing a computer course in their village.
Alibha’s story is a powerful reminder that we can all achieve our dreams no matter how difficult life gets, with determination, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to seek help.
Enhancing Local Community's Capacity
(reducing dependency on outside agencies)
Jhilli Sabar – Champion of nurturing young dreams in her community
Vikalp program, established by Social Shapes Foundation and Gram Vikas, aims to assist underprivileged children and young adults aged 10-24 years in remote rural villages of Odisha. One of the program’s goals is to cultivate young leaders within the community who can drive positive change in their villages and communities.
The program recently achieved a significant milestone by training and developing four young community members as Learning Group Officers (Master Trainers). Two are from Lakhanpur Gram Panchayat in Jharsuguda district, and the other two are from Tumbagarh Gram Panchayat in Ganjam district.
These young individuals are trained to assist others in their local area. This involves sharing personalized information about higher education and careers, helping them create career development plans, and supporting them in pursuing their preferred life goals. These local youth can help guide others in their community to make well-informed decisions about their education, careers, and future without requiring much external help.
We are thrilled to introduce one of our community champions to you.
...
Meet Jhili Sabar, a 22-year-old tribal girl from the village of Daleibila, Tumbagarh GP, Ganjam in Odisha, born into a family of eight with limited resources. The family relied solely on her father, a marginal farmer, for their sustenance. The area is cyclone prone, and unfortunately, the agricultural activities yielded minimal returns due to the unpredictable rainfall patterns, resulting in the family grappling with meager income.
Jhilli could sustain her education despite financial constraints with her uncle and aunt’s support in Patrapur, Ganjam. Her perseverance led to her completing her schooling, culminating in a graduation in Computer Applications. Her family’s economic challenges currently hinder her ambition to pursue a career in teaching.
In August 2023, Jhilli joined Vikalp as Vikalp Saathi (Community Cadre). Working with the program team, she boosted her confidence, enhanced her communication ability, and acquired valuable functional skills. After performing well as a Vikalp Saathi for 6 months, she was promoted to Trainee Learning Group Officer. Following a rigorous 6-month training program, she has advanced to the Learning Group Officer position. Her journey with Vikalp has been truly transformative.
Jhilli and their team manage Vikalp program in 12 villages in her Gram Panchayat. She believes this is just the beginning, and she looks forward to assisting low-income families in her community and making a big difference in the lives of many young people in her area.
Meet Chandra Munda: An Inspiring former Udaan Scholar and Anganwadi Worker
Success story of one family, inspiration of entire community!
Chandra Munda, a 23-year-old tribal girl from the remote village of Junian in Jharsuguda, Odisha, inspires many.
Despite financial constraints, her unwavering determination and the support of her parents enabled her to graduate in 2019. She is one of the few girls in her Gram Panchayat who has graduated. However, she faced challenges in finding a suitable job.
Chandra gained essential skills and guidance upon joining Vikalp in 2021.
...
Chandra successfully navigated the application process for an Anganwadi Worker position. The program helped her prepare for the interview, build her CV, and arrange the necessary documents.
Today, Chandra serves as an Anganwadi Worker, making her parents incredibly proud and serving her community.
But her journey does not stop here. Chandra remains dedicated to her dreams. “I am grateful for the support of my parents and Vikalp. I aspire to become a high school teacher and am currently planning for it,” she says.
Stories from the field
Story of grit and determination, standing against all odds
When the going gets tough, the tough get going!
In 2020, Gouri was studying in the 5th grade as a hosteler at Lingipur, Gajapati, when her mother’s health deteriorated. She had to leave her study and come home. Sadly, her mother passed away after a few months. Gouri could not go back to her school.
Her father, a migrant laborer in Andhra Pradesh, spends most of his time at his place of work. Closer to her mother than anyone else, Gouri, only 13 years old, became very lonely and avoided socializing with anyone after her mother’s passing.
In early 2023, her father married for the second time and started living in a separate house. Gauri moved to stay with her aunt.
...
Gouri Karjee is from Lumudasing village in the Gajapati district of Odisha and belongs to the Saora community, which is one of the most primitive hill tribes of Odisha.
She wanted to continue her education, but her aunt’s financial situation was difficult. She didn’t know what to do or who to ask. In 2023, Vikalp program started in her village.
Gouri joined the program and expressed her desire to resume her studies in one of the learning group meetings. The program team supported Gouri by assisting her in preparing for admission-related interviews and documentation work.
With the program’s help and support from the Government high school, Raygada, in the Gajapati district, Gouri was able to secure admission in class 7 under a government of Odisha scheme for orphan girls. This scheme entitles her to free education, lodging, and boarding until class 10.
This opportunity was unknown in her village, and her aunt still finds it hard to believe. Gouri is now very happy as she is back in school. She proudly displays her school uniform and dreams of becoming a graduate one day.
Resilience and hardwork do pay off
Right information at the right time can help resolve uncertainty.
Sushant Sabar is a 20 y.o. young boy from Amarsing village in Gajapati district, Odisha. Sushant’s father passed away in 2014 after a cyclone struck their village. He belongs to the Saora tribe – a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). He lives with his mother and his brother, who is a casual laborer. He has two married sisters.
In 2022, Sushant failed his Class 10 math exam and dropped out because he and his family didn’t know he could take the supplementary exam. He started working with his brother instead.
...
In 2023, Sushant joined Vikalp program.
In September that year, during a Vikalp meeting, he learned about the open schooling system. Unfamiliar with this concept, he was confused and nervous. With support from Vikalp team and Gram Vikas Mahendra Tanaya Ashram School Headmaster, Prakash Sir, Sushant enrolled and received assistance with his preparation.
During Vikalp meetings, he learned basic computer skills, accessed educational content from specific YouTube channels, and consulted guidebooks.
In February 2024, the exam date was announced. This time, Sushant passed the 10th board exam, but his score was low at 39%. Sushant wanted to study more and join a college.
The college admission process is online, and the Vikalp team worked with him to apply to the right colleges. It’s important to apply to the right colleges based on marks and preferences to avoid rejection.
Young people like Sushant, who lack guidance, often need support to understand suitable college options to save their academic year.
Sushant got accepted to a college in Gurandi, Gajapati, on the 2nd merit list on August 5.
However, he was told he needed a conduct certificate from his previous school dated 2024, which he didn’t have, making him lose hope. Shy and not talkative, Sushant did not verify the information with the college authorities.
Sushant told the Vikalp team about his situation. The team went with him to Gurandi College to understand the real issue. After talking to the right people, Sushant learned that he didn’t need any documents for the years he took off because he had applied through the open school. Small bits of missing information like this can cause significant problems for young people in villages.
Sushant successfully secured his college admission last Friday. He is now a +2 first-year student at Minaketan Higher Secondary School, Gurandi, Gajapati. His family is overjoyed. Sushant looks forward to becoming a senior-secondary graduate.
Vikalp Program Launch in Kerandi Gram Panchayat, Gajapati
Community ringing in Vikalp with a day-long celebration!
From 29th September through 1st October, Vikalp program was officially launched in the vibrant villages of Kerandi, Oyaa, and Engarsingh of Kerandi Gram Panchayat.
To launch the program, the Village Development Committees and Vikalp team co-host a celebration in each village where the whole community came together to plan and put up a show complete with folk dance performances and local delicacies.
During these events, the local leaders and Vikalp team members discussed the details of the program with the community, explaining to them the key features of the program and its potential benefits for young people in the village.
...
One of the highlights of the events was the web of dreams activity during which each member of the community – young and old – shared their aspirations with the whole group. They talked about their professional dreams and hopes for their families and community. The group then vowed to support each other in working toward these aspirations.
We’re proud to be working alongside such dedicated and vibrant communities, and we look forward to making an impactful difference together.
Puja Pandey grew up in a family of six that faced numerous challenges.
With limited resources, relying on a small piece of land and a Paan shop for their livelihood, her father was steadfast in his commitment to her education, serving as a role model and a source of support throughout her academic journey.
Inspired by her parents’ struggles, Puja is determined to conquer her fears and work diligently toward creating a better future for herself and her family.
...
After completing her higher education in Belpahar, Jharsuguda, Odisha, Puja faced setbacks in her government exams but remained aware of her family’s dependence on her.
In 2022, she joined the Vikalp Program in her village, which she described as one of the best periods of her life, filled with daily learning and anticipation for each session.
Her dedication did not go unnoticed; the Vikalp Learning Group Officer encouraged her to apply for the Vikalp Saathi role, which she pursued with determination, ultimately achieving it and marking a proud moment as she began contributing to her family’s well-being.
Recognizing Vikalp’s mission to empower individuals, Puja set her sights on becoming a Trainee Learning Group Officer (TLGO). She achieved this goal through hard work and celebrated another milestone by becoming a certified LGO in October 2024. Embracing her role, she developed essential computer skills and is enthusiastic about learning more.
Today, Puja plays a vital role in her community, educating youth aged 10 to 24 years about career development, future orientation, and essential cognitive and digital skills.
Reflecting on her journey from a shy scholar to a respected community leader, Puja emphasizes how her involvement with the Village Development Committee and engagement with fellow community members have helped her build confidence and recognition.