Founded by Ranjan Kumar in 2009, Gyanjyoty Academy - part of the Gyanjyoty Rural Development Welfare Trust - educates children from the poorest outlying villages of Bodhgaya. Most families live below the poverty line, and children typically work in the fields or beg rather than attend school.
As of May 2022 the school served 223 children, providing writing books, textbooks, pens, pencils and uniforms. The trust also supplies medicine, nutrition, counselling and emotional support. Before the COVID-19 lockdowns, the academy housed 28 boarders - mostly orphaned boys from impoverished backgrounds.
The story behind Gyanjyoty
Ranjan grew up poor and could not afford an education - until, near the Mahabodhi Temple, he met Jürgen Früchtl, a visitor from Vienna. Jürgen fully funded Ranjan's schooling, then college, then higher study in Delhi. That education transformed Ranjan's prospects and allowed him to build a livelihood.
By Jürgen's account, he first met Ranjan in 2004, when the boy was around 14 or 15. After visiting Ranjan's village school in Sujata, he agreed to support his education through college, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, and three years studying Chinese in Taiwan. Jürgen reflects that it was worthwhile - and that he values how “Ranjan tries to give others the opportunity he was given.”
What your support provides
- Free schooling for 223 of the poorest village children
- Books, uniforms and learning materials
- Medicine, nutrition and counselling
- Boarding for orphaned and at-risk children