Matters India Reporter
Narukot, Gujarat, October 19, 2025 — In a blend of innovation and compassion, Don Bosco Narukot has launched the “School on Wheels” program—locally known as Paydani Patshala —bringing quality education directly to children in remote villages of Gujarat.
Conceived by Salesian Fr Elson Barretto, Rector of Don Bosco Narukot, the initiative began in June 2025 and has already reached 26 villages, including 24 in Jambughoda and 2 in Halol. The program is a collaborative effort led by the Disciples of Jesus (DJS) congregation, the Salesians, and Don Bosco Narukot development team.
At the heart of this mobile mission are Sr Johani Soreng and Sr Madhuri Baa of the DJS congregation. Each weekday morning, from 8:30 to 11:00 am, they travel with a vehicle packed with educational materials—books, charts, games, and teaching aids—bringing learning to the doorsteps of children who would otherwise be left behind.
“Our goal is not just to teach alphabets and numbers,” said Sr Johani. “We want to awaken curiosity, build confidence, and nurture values that help children become responsible citizens.”
The “School on Wheels” is more than a classroom on wheels—it’s a lifeline for children in underserved tribal communities. By reaching out to those excluded from formal schooling, the initiative empowers young minds to rise above poverty and marginalization. It embodies the spirit of Don Bosco, who once said, “For you I study, for you I work, for you I live, for you I am willing even to give my life.”
Fr Barretto emphasized the transformative power of the initiative: “Education must travel to those who cannot reach it. This is our mission—to make learning accessible, joyful, and rooted in dignity.”
The program also fosters community spirit, engaging parents and elders in conversations about education and social responsibility. “We see change not just in children,” added Sr Madhuri, “but in entire families who begin to believe in the power of learning.”
As the “School on Wheels” continues to roll forward, it carries with it the dreams of countless children—and the promise of a brighter, more equitable future.