A story from Learn From Peers learning pod, Mumbai!

Some stories don’t need big words. They just need to be told honestly — from the heart. This is one of them.

Ayush is 10. His father drives a taxi. His family lives in a small home in Mumbai, where space is tight and money is tighter. He had never used a computer before. Never touched a mouse. Didn’t know what Google was.

And yet, here he is — just a few months later — designing presentations, creating videos, helping others learn digital education, and dreaming of launching his own YouTube channel.

How did that happen? Because Ayush never stopped believing in one simple thing — “Main seekh sakta hoon.” (I can learn.)

This is his story. His success story.  

The First Day

He was quiet. A little nervous. Watching everything with curious eyes.

We asked the kids to open Paint and draw something. Most were quick to start. But Ayush? He just stared at the screen, not knowing how and where to begin.

That’s when we realized — this wasn’t going to be an easy journey for him. But it was going to be a meaningful one. Because even when Ayush struggled, he never gave up. He stayed back after class to practice. He drew a picture of a keyboard on paper at home and practiced typing on it with his fingers.

Where others saw the struggle, Ayush saw possibility.

From Student to Someone Everyone Looked Up To

Week after week, he learned new things — how to type, how to make slides, how to draw on the computer. But something beautiful happened along the way. He started falling in love with the world of digital education.

At Apni Pathshala, we often ask kids to record short feedback videos about what they’ve learned. It’s a simple activity to build confidence. But when Ayush recorded his first video, the spark in his eyes told a story. A story that is waiting to be heard. 

He started experimenting with apps like Canva, CapCut, and Kinemaster. Wrote his own scripts. Edited his own videos. Tried voiceovers. Tried again when it didn’t work. He found his passion: digital content creation.

And Then… Life Got in the Way

A few months later, Ayush’s family had to move. Suddenly, the learning lab — the place that felt like home — was over 90 minutes away by train.  

He could’ve stopped. He could’ve made excuses. He never did.

Even if he could only come for 30 minutes, he’d still show up. Collect learning materials. Take notes. Ask questions. And go back home — ready to practice.

Here’s the twist: He didn’t even have a computer at home.

So, what did he do? Borrowed a phone. Practiced on it. Saved learning videos on a pen drive. Watched them offline. Sketched out ideas on paper and memorized tool functions.

When we arranged a donated desktop for his home, Ayush cried. He cleaned the table every day before using it. It unlocked his wings.

Today, Ayush Isn’t Just Learning. He’s Creating. For Real.

He’s now in our Advanced Tech Batch. He’s chosen to learn video content creation. He’s helping create educational content for Apni Pathshala’s digital platform — content that will help hundreds of kids like him.

He’s not just learning how to edit and create. He’s learning how to tell stories. How to teach with simplicity. How to connect with others using his voice.

He dreams of launching a YouTube channel for kids who don’t have access to expensive tools or fancy English — a space where learning feels friendly, real, and doable.

And guess what? He’s already working on his first videos.

But The Truth Is… Ayush Still Faces Struggles Every Day

There’s no stable Wi-Fi. There’s school work. House chores. Family responsibilities. And sometimes, just the weight of being a child trying to do so much.

But he never complains. Never seek sympathy. He just shows up. Quietly. Consistently. Wholeheartedly.

Some days, when no one else is watching, he records 10 drafts of the same video. Deletes them all. And tries again.

Because that’s Ayush — a boy who refuses to give up on himself!

What We Learn From Ayush

We talk about “digital education” like it’s just a tool. But for children like Ayush, it’s more than that.

It’s a door. A light. A chance.

Ayush didn’t need perfect grammar. Or perfect gadgets. He just needed a little push, a little belief, and a little space to dream.

And now? He’s turning into the kind of role model we wish every child had.

His Story is Just One — But It’s Not the Only One

Ayush’s journey is powerful, but it’s not rare.

There are thousands of Ayushes — in Mumbai, in small towns, in villages — quietly waiting for someone to believe in them. Waiting for a place where they can touch a computer for the first time. A place where they’re not judged for what they don’t know, but celebrated for what they’re willing to learn.

That’s what Apni Pathshala is all about.

We’re not just building learning pods — we’re building confidence, curiosity, and community. We’re proving that with the right support, even the most unexpected learners can shine.

If Ayush’s story moved you, imagine how many more stories are waiting to unfold.

Support a learning pod. Sponsor a device. Share our story. Or just believe in a child who needs it.Because sometimes, all it takes is one spark to light a lifelong fire.
And at Apni Pathshala, we’re here to keep lighting those sparks — one child at a time.