Change Begins When We Believe We Can” — A Journey of Learning between Two Tea Garden Communities

[Sanjeev Biswa]

“Change Begins When We Believe We Can” — A Journey of Learning between Two Tea Garden Communities

On 19th September 2025, ten community members from Raimatang Tea Garden (Church Line) set out on a journey to Jathu Line, Dalsingpara community, the community which is not under the ARC. This wasn’t just a visit — it was an opportunity to witness how unity and determination can transform a community. The main purpose was to motivate and inspire the Raimatang team by seeing the changes that the people of Dalsingpara Jathu line had achieved through their own collective effort.

When the Raimatang Church Line group reached Jathu Line, they were warmly welcomed by a young girl who introduced herself with excitement and pride. She called other members of her community, and soon the small gathering turned into a circle of sharing and learning.

 From Struggles to Strength

The session began with stories about how difficult life once was in Jathu Line. Located near the Toorsa River and far from the main road, the community had limited access to basic facilities. Wild animals often entered the village, parents were afraid to send their children to school, and there were no toilets or safe drinking water.
But things began to change when Rural Aid and Ujana Sister encouraged the villagers to come together and take action. As one villager shared, “When we stopped waiting for help and started helping ourselves, things began to move.”

Their first major success came when the villagers applied for toilets through the Block Development Office. After verification, 30 toilets were installed — a milestone that brought dignity and awareness to the entire community. Encouraged by this achievement, they next tackled the issue of water scarcity and successfully requested hand pumps, ensuring clean water for all.

A Young Woman Who Became a Light

Among the inspiring voices was Chandini, a young woman from Jathu Line. She shared her journey of courage and change. Once a shy girl in a struggling village, she is now the first girl to complete Class 12 and is currently pursuing graduation.

Chandini didn’t stop there. She motivated parents to send their children to school and personally supported the enrolment of 51 children. Her tireless efforts even inspired one youth to start tuition classes while continuing his own studies.

Her message to everyone was heartfelt:

“Real change doesn’t come from outside. It begins when we decide to stand up for our community.”

Lessons for Church Line Raimatang community.

The Church Line participants were deeply moved. They saw that Jathu line's success was not about resources — it was about unity, courage, and belief. One participant reflected,

“We often hesitate to take initiatives, but today we learned that unity could make change possible.”

Another added,

“Despite facing so many difficulties, they never gave up — this inspired us to work harder for our own village.”

A Step toward Hope

The visit was more than an exchange of experiences — it was a sharing of hope. The Raimatang Church Line team returned home with fresh energy, realizing that “together, even small steps can lead to big changes.”

The story of Dalsingpara Jathu Line reminds us that transformation begins with people who care — people who dare to dream and work together to make those dreams real.