How Communities Lead Their Own Development: Lessons from GSK

[Bappa Das]

From 28th to 30th November 2025, a five-member Suchana team visited Gramin Shiksha Kendra (GSK) in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. The purpose of our visit was to learn how GSK supports community-led education, youth work, and livelihood activities. We saw many examples of simple and effective work led by the community.

We first visited the Bauri community living under a flyover. They came from Gujarat in 1970 and still face many problems. Their homes are temporary, and they depend on daily labour and plastic collection. GSK helped them choose a literate community member who now runs a small learning centre for children. The community also learned to speak up for their rights. Women make plastic flowers and sell them at local events. All activities are run by the community; GSK only guides them.

In Khawa, we met youth fellows who completed Class 12. They receive fellowships to continue higher studies. In return, they teach children in their villages and help solve local issues. Another program trains youth to take part in Panchayati Raj activities. These young people now raise issues in village meetings and support community development.

We also saw the Umang program for adolescent girls. Girls learn through dance, play, reading, creative work, career guidance, and health sessions. They build confidence and take part in sports and leadership activities.

Later, we visited the Uday Samudayik Pathshala, a school set up for families displaced from the Ranthambore forest. GSK helped start the school, but now the community runs it fully. The school is registered up to Class 8. Children grow vegetables in a kitchen garden, teachers prepare TLMs, and classrooms are child-friendly. The SMC and VLC are active, and the school is known as one of the best in the area.

We learned about GSK’s forum theatre, where community actors perform plays on real issues. After the play, villagers discuss solutions. This helps people think and take action together.

The visit showed us how GSK works with communities in a simple but powerful way. They guide people, but the community leads the work. Many people told us they can continue even if GSK is not there.

Suchana also follows the same approach. We support sustainable, community-led initiatives where people identify their own problems and take responsibility to solve them. This visit inspired us to continue strengthening such community ownership in our work.