Ritesh’s Remarkable Journey: A 14-year-old who is earning more than college students
“Confidence and hard work are the best medicines to kill the disease called failure. It will make you a successful person.” – Abdul Kalam A story of hard work, passion and dedication that can inspire many kids! This is the story of Ritesh, a boy who discovered a new world of possibilities when he joined Apni Pathshala. Coming from a below-middle-class family, it was challenging for Ritesh to pursue even basic education. This didn’t stop Ritesh from chasing his dreams as these obstacles made him more determined to pursue his passion. Ritesh was a boy in seventh grade who had a dream: to support his family by studying and earning money. Even when facing many challenges, his determination pushed him forward and life gave him a golden chance when he first stepped through the doors of Apni Pathshala, which encouraged him to find the passion within himself and pursue his dreams. Visiting Apni Pathshala: An Experience that Changed His Life Ritesh’s story began at Naryana Chandra Trust Fund in Mumbai where he first visited Apni Pathshala through an exhibition where students were showing classroom innovations. Ritesh was amazed at the view of students learning what they found interesting. This motivated him to join the Apni Pathshala classroom to start studying in this amazing classroom. Before joining Apnipathshala he did not even know how to use a computer. Soon after, Ritesh enrolled in the Narayana Chandra Trust Fund in the 7th standard. But with constant hard work and eagerness to learn, Ritesh mastered computers. He learned to use Word, Excel, and Canva to design. But Ritesh knew that this was not enough for him to support his family. So, he started learning complex topics like Web Development, Game Development, and WordPress. Imagine a child in 7th class learning complex topics at the college level! It sounds impossible to accomplish but Ritesh was not giving up. He was eager to learn and he did. With dedicated hard work and support from the Apni Pathshala family, he was able to master these complex topics in just 3-4 months! His quick learning of these skills was nothing short of impressive. Ritesh’s enthusiasm and commitment did not go unnoticed. He completed his initial courses with flying courses, showing remarkable dedication to helping others. He started taking on projects independently and assisting with classroom management. ApniPathshala’s Effort in Helping Ritesh Apni Pathshala recognized Ritesh’s dedication and offered him a unique opportunity. He was paid 1000 rupees per month for his work, helping other students in learning and contributing to a learning community. Despite his young age, Ritesh demonstrated a keen understanding of the subjects he taught. It was during this time that he was not allowed to sit in certain classes due to his fees not being paid because of his struggling family. Ritesh took up the task of paying his fees by completing unfinished projects for Apni Pathshala. This work not only helped him earn money but also made a name for himself in the Naryana Chandra Trust Fund. With his earnings, he was able to pay his fees. Ritesh’s determination was undeniable, as he was approached by NCT officials to be hired as a junior mentor. By the time he reached 8th standard, Ritesh had become a junior mentor at Apni Pathshala, a remarkable achievement for an eighth-grader. This role allowed him to teach a new batch of students. His expertise in web development, video editing, and coding made him a valuable member of the NCT family. Ritesh’s story isn’t over, he is just starting. His passion for learning didn’t stop at coding. He is also deeply interested in ethical hacking, a field he is currently pursuing with excitement. His journey from a curious learner to a full-time mentor sets an example to show the power of education and support. His story is a motivation of hope and inspiration for many struggling children out there. Today, he helps to achieve the dreams of many Riteshs like him, playing an important role in education, as Apni Pathshala did for him. The Role of Apni Pathshala in Ritesh’s Sucess Apni Pathshala played an important role in Ritesh’s journey. The support and encouragement he received helped him overcome financial and personal challenges. The scholarship from the Narayana Chandra Trust Fund was a game-changer, enabling him to learn alongside college students and gain skills in languages like Java, JavaScript, and HTML. The supportive learning environment at Apni Pathshala provided Ritesh with the tools and opportunities he needed to excel. His story is proof to the impact of a nurturing educational community. All it takes is the courage to take that first step and the determination to see it through. With the right support, like that offered by Apni Pathshala.