Mumbai, October 2026: Light of Life Trust (LOLT) is expanding its rural education intervention in Odisha through Project Anando, supporting 420 first-generation learners across six centres in Angul during the 2026–27 academic year.

The programme focuses on helping children from underserved rural communities remain in school, complete secondary education and explore pathways towards higher education, vocational training and livelihoods. LOLT, which is listed on the BSE Social Stock Exchange (SSE), launched Project Anando in 2005 to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds through academic, personal and social development.

Project Anando was introduced in Angul district in 2019. The programme works with schools, families and local communities to identify children at risk of dropping out and provide continued support through dedicated Anando centres. Across several states, the programme has reached more than 24,000 students and 1,800 teachers.

In Odisha, the intervention includes supplementary academic support in English and Mathematics, remedial education and examination preparation. Students also participate in activities focused on personality development, life skills, meditation, empowerment and talent development. Educational materials such as textbooks, notebooks, school bags and uniforms are also provided to address practical barriers to school attendance.

The programme also supports students approaching the completion of Std X through career counselling and guidance on higher education, vocational training and future livelihood opportunities. Parent meetings, counselling, home visits and awareness programmes are conducted to strengthen family involvement and address issues including continued education, child marriage and parenting.

According to the programme proposal, Odisha’s secondary-school dropout rate is cited at 33.6%, compared with 24.2% nationally. Poverty, household income pressures, parental employment patterns and limited access to secondary schools are identified as factors affecting educational continuity, particularly among first-generation learners.

Ramesh Daswani, CEO, Light of Life Trust, said: “Education can change the direction of a child’s life, but for children growing up in vulnerable communities, staying in school often requires more than access to a classroom. Through Project Anando, we want to create the support system that helps children remain in school, complete their secondary education and see possibilities beyond what their circumstances may suggest. In Odisha, our focus is not only on academic support, but also on building confidence, involving families and helping children make informed choices about their future. Every child we help stay in school is a step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a more hopeful future for the next generation,”

Over the next five years, Project Anando aims to support 10,000 first-generation learners, engage 500 village communities and train 1,000 local education stakeholders. The proposed annual cost of supporting one child is ₹12,000, while the current cohort of 420 students has an annual programme cost of ₹50.40 lakh.