“I tell them every day: you have to study hard, you need to finish high school if you want to get a good job,” explains Shankar. He is 29-years-old and takes his role very seriously. Three years ago, he founded the AYUDH group for his village. AYUDH is the youth empowerment wing of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math.  Shankar makes sure the youth get an education based on values. He behaves as a big brother for all of them.

He says that AYUDH activities like football, cricket, gardening, playing games and book reading are very appreciated. They have contributed to avoiding school dropouts. It also reinforces the bounds between all the kids, as they all share a common spirit. For instance, once a month, they get together to clean the village. On that day, the atmosphere is joyful. The teenagers sing and crack jokes while picking up the rubbish.

Shankar is also in charge of the bee boxes. The village is now able to produce honey for its own consumption but also for sale.

“I can’t believe this is the same village I grew up in,” he concludes. “So many changes in a few years! I am proud of our achievements as a community. Kuri is a great place to live in now.”