Growing up in a village where many of his peers left school to work, Bethala Veera Swami witnessed the challenges rural children face in accessing education. Today, his initiative provides after-school support to 90,000 children across 110 villages, helping bridge the gap in learning opportunities.
- Started in 2011 by Swami and childhood friends in Yernagudem.
- Provides guided learning and mentoring after school hours.
- Supports 90,000 children in over 110 villages today.
What happened
Bethala Veera Swami grew up in Yernagudem, Andhra Pradesh, in a family dependent on daily agricultural wages. Despite financial struggles, his parents encouraged him to study. Many children in his village, however, were forced to leave school early to help support their families due to lack of resources and guidance.
After graduating as a mechanical engineer and working internationally, Swami returned to his community. In 2011, along with childhood friends, he launched the Pragathi Association for Rural Development (PARD INDIA) to create educational opportunities for village children through an after-school program. Beginning with 50 students, the program now supports 90,000 children from 110+ villages.
Why it feels good
This story highlights how addressing the inequality of opportunity—rather than ability—can transform lives. Swami’s initiative fills a crucial gap by offering children guidance and resources beyond school hours, often when their parents are unavailable due to work commitments.
Seeing children receive support in subjects like math, science, and English, plus life-enhancing activities such as storytelling and sports, shows the holistic approach taken. It reminds us that communities can create meaningful change together, even starting from limited means.
What to enjoy or watch next
Look out for local or regional efforts inspired by this model of after-school education. Programs focused on supplementary learning can greatly impact rural areas where classroom instruction alone may not suffice.
For those interested in volunteering or supporting education equity, exploring community-driven projects like PARD INDIA offers rewarding opportunities. Stories like these encourage us to celebrate grassroots efforts that improve children’s futures through sustained, hands-on involvement.