The Jansa village in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is home to a number of children with big dreams whose parents are engaged in odd jobs, such as boring wells, stone cutting and flower selling.

While the children are enrolled in the Jansa Primary School, they look forward to classes at their study centre where they gather in the evenings.

When Shyam Shrivastav (65) started this centre in Jansa village, he never fathomed it would amass so much love.

It was simply an attempt at giving back to society after surviving fourth-stage bone marrow cancer.

The idea of reaching out to kids occurred to Shyam ji during the time he spent in the cancer ward. While contemplating his own fate, he would watch children as young as a few months old being admitted for cancer treatment.

“It was so sad to watch these things,” he says, adding that these observations set a precedent for the way he wanted to live his life.

The centre that he has set up in Jansa village is one of three — the other is at Rajatalab village and the third is at Ravidas Ghat.

Shyam ji’s centres are hubs where children are cared for, sometimes fed, helped with studies, played with, and given everything they need to dream big.

While each centre caters to around 200 children at any given time, it is the Jansa centre that needs your attention.

The tin roof of the centre is crumbling and putting a stopper on classes.

Sharing about why he had to resort to a tin roof, Shyam ji traces his steps back to when he decided to build a centre for the children.

He asked around the village for help and used the donations he received — to the tune of Rs 6 lakh — to build a makeshift hall. However, he concentrated on the walls and foundation, so when they came to the roof, there weren’t any funds left.

Two tin sheets were fitted on top of the shelter to keep out dust, rain, and stones. But the contraption is of no use in times of heatwaves and heavy rains.

The only option left in such situations is to cancel classes for the day. “Children need a good environment to study,” he reiterates. Asking them to study in the heat and rain is unfair.

If the roof is in place, the children will have their study centre back. So, let’s help them achieve this together, shall we?

Here’s the link to donate.