Stories from the Alumni Movement!

Chandrava entered the Fellowship as an engineer, intending to “engineer” a future for her students. But her experience transformed her, teaching her that education is more than facts and figures—it’s about empathy and connection. Saif, one of her students, expressed his dreams of becoming an auto driver, having internalized years of discouragement. Determined to help him see beyond his circumstances, Chandrava visited his home, understood his world, and crafted a curriculum that connected learning to his life. Saif’s progress reminded her of the power of understanding each student’s story.

Today, Saif is studying at college and hopes to return to the classroom as a teacher. Chandrava has since expanded her work to support government school leaders, fostering connections with educators and students alike. Her latest initiative, a “gender toolkit,” aims to help school leaders address gender-based challenges. Chandrava’s journey exemplifies a shift from engineering academic success to engineering hope, inspired by the resilience of her students.