As the International Day of Education approaches, it’s timely to remind ourselves that education is about more than learning to read and write — it’s also about unlocking confidence, creating opportunities, and fostering leadership, even in the most challenging circumstances.

In India’s remote and tribal regions, many girls face daily barriers to education: poverty, distance, limited exposure, and deeply ingrained social norms which deprioritise their learning. Yet when these barriers are removed, the results can be transformative, as Payal’s story from the little village of Kelor in Madhya Pradesh, demonstrates.

The majority of Kelor’s residents are from minority tribal groups, and are illiterate. The local school (Grades 1 to 5) has no electricity. When Payal first joined the Kelor Learning Centre, supported by IIMPACT Australia donor Kobad Bhavnagri and his family, she was shy and lacked confidence. Speaking in public felt overwhelming. Like many girls from marginalised communities, she had never been given the opportunity to learn and practise communication or leadership skills.

What changed for Payal wasn’t just getting access to education — it was how she learned. Through learner-centred teaching methods such as Jodo Gyan and the Barkhaa Reading Series, the Centre created a safe, inclusive environment where participation was encouraged and mistakes were part of the process. Watching her peers collaborate and present inspired Payal to step beyond her comfort zone.

Payal’s growth was gradual but powerful. Each small step — answering a question, joining a discussion, leading an activity — built her confidence. Today, Payal confidently presents lessons, supports younger students, and even takes responsibility for running the Centre when teachers are absent. From a girl too shy to introduce herself, education has helped Payal to become a mentor and emerging leader.

Her sponsor Kobad Bhavnagri reflects that supporting the Kelor Centre in honour of his late mother has been a deeply rewarding experience for his family. He says: “Seeing how a modest donation can transform and uplift young girls like Payal fills us with immense joy. It’s rare to feel that your actions truly make a difference. Yet we know that supporting this Centre is changing the lives of dozens of girls, and strengthening their wider communities. It is so fulfilling to see our support translate into real progress for girls like Payal, and so many others“.

At IIMPACT, stories like Payal’s reinforce our commitment to investing in girls’ education. When a girl is empowered with education and encouragement, she doesn’t just change her own life — she lifts others along with her.