The lockdown could not prevent 23-year Paul from teaching the students of the village school who can not access the online classes.

Amidst lockdown, J.Paul Baglari, a B.Com student from Udalguri District in Assam mobilized and created awareness among the village youth to give tuitions to students in different vicinities. He felt that this is a crucial need and the youth must act on this.

The village council development committee (VCDC) was very supportive and praise Paul for taking initiative in bridging the learning gap of the children during the lockdown.

Paul and his mother stay in Dhalkatha village which is one of the villages of Caritas India supported the Anti-Human Trafficking North East program. Mother is pleased to bring up her son to be a source of blessing to the villagers in this small village.

Prolonged school closure and provision of online education classes was discriminatory for marginalized students as the majority of them lack a digital device to access the classes. Paul with a lot of social concern wanted to do something for the community, yet he could not do much as he has no profile but he is morally supportive for the development of the villagers.

He started giving tuitions to the students of nursery to class seventh. There were around 150 students from 12 villages. It is solely Paul’s initiative that has a positive stroke emerging from within the community. He is not only an active youth member in the village youth group but an active President of the Village Vigilant Committees (VVC) which was formed for combating human trafficking and unsafe migration issues. The program has seen a positive behavioural change from women, men, youth and children.

It is also edifying to learn that during the monthly meeting with the community, Paul actively participated and shared pertaining community issues.

He has shown his full cooperation and motivates the village youth. He is convinced that when youths are motivated, they can bring change in the community and in turn will contribute to nation-building.

The community is grateful to Caritas India for empowering and supporting the youth in 12 villages with almost 455 members. It is through this program, the community is brought together under one roof to address the burning issues and take forward the AHT program beyond the project.