In a dusty corner of Maharashtra’s Osmanabad district, 9-year-old Asha used to walk 3 kilometers to her village school with a plastic grocery bag clutched tightly to her chest. Her books were often crumpled or soaked during the monsoons, and she sometimes skipped school just to avoid the embarrassment.

Things changed when she received her first school bag from Apulki Foundation. It wasn’t just a bag—it was a symbol of dignity. With compartments for books, space for her lunchbox, and bright colors that made her feel like she belonged, Asha now walks confidently to school. Her attendance is regular, and her performance has improved remarkably.

Raju, a 12-year-old from a tribal village in Nandurbar, had the desire to study but not the means. His parents, who work as seasonal laborers, couldn’t afford notebooks. He would write in the margins of old newspapers and erase previous notes to reuse pages.

Apulki Foundation stepped in with basic school supplies. The moment Raju held his first new notebook, his face lit up. Now, he doesn’t have to erase knowledge—he gets to build it. Today, he keeps all his subjects in separate notebooks and dreams of becoming a teacher, so he can help others like him.

Salim, 10, used to attend school in worn-out clothes that didn’t fit. Other children would tease him, and over time, he grew quiet and withdrawn. His single mother, who works as a housemaid, couldn’t afford a school uniform.

When Apulki Foundation provided him with a proper uniform, complete with shoes and socks, Salim’s demeanor changed. He now walks into class with pride, participates in school activities, and has even started reading aloud in class. “Now I feel like I’m part of the school,” he says, smiling brightly in his crisp blue shirt.