Bhopal: Young children begging on streets and at traffic lights is a common sight that everyone has witnessed in the country. Some may offer them money, while others might choose to ignore them. However, Mahi Bhajni of Bhopal is a saviour for them. She not only took the oath of providing free education to underprivileged children but also took the initiative of addressing the issue of drug addiction in kids.

Who is Mahi Bhajni?

Mahi Bhajni is a resident of Jawahar Chowk area of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She holds a degree in journalism. During her childhood, witnessing children begging near her home, prompted Mahi to question her mother, asking why these children couldn’t got to school like her. The experience left a lasting impression on her, inspiring her to make a commitment to do something in her life for these children. 

Anunay Education and Welfare Society

Mahi launched her campaign in the year 2011, and established an organization called Anunay Education and Welfare Society. The primary objective of this organization was to provide education to children from poor background while making them informed about the drug addiction. Gradually, the reach of this initiative expanded to various cities. Five centres have been established in Bhopal that are dedicated to educating children from economically weaker sections. 

Overcoming challenges

Providing free education comes with its own challenges. Mahi faced numerous difficulties in her efforts to expand her initiative. Initially, families living in slums were reluctant to send their children to school. They prioritized earning a livelihood for daily sustenance over education. Mahi persevered, and gradually, all the children began to form a connection with her. Today, she has become a trusted teacher, and also a sisterly figure for these underprivileged children. 

Holistic development

The organization provides essential skills to students to promote their growth. The team visits slums to identify children in need. They facilitate their enrolment in schools, organize tuition classes, offer English-speaking training, and nurture children’s social skills, with activities like dancing, singing, and painting. 

Collecting funds

Initially, Mahi contributed funds for the organization herself and also sought support from her friends. Some donors were associated with the organization but as the numbers of children grew, funding became a challenge. Despite all the challenges, Mahi has received numerous awards for her work in Bhopal and other cities.