The effects of poverty on children can lead to lifelong struggles, especially when young people don’t receive full education. In a move to provide a helping hand to the students from weaker section Deputy Commissioner of Changlang District, Devansh Yadav started a crowdfunding initiative to send economically challenged students to pursue higher education in Delhi University.

Longsam Sapong didn’t have big plans for further studies. His family’s weak financial status and lack of proper support made him curtail his dreams. But with the help of the crowdfunding initiative the 20-year old from a village in Bordumsa in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh and two others like him are on their way to Delhi University for their undergraduate studies.

“Despite having 10% of Arunachal’s population, the Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts have just around 2% representation in the state civil services. These districts are insurgency affected and level of education and opportunities is lower,” said Devansh Yadav. “Bright students from these districts are not able to pursue their studies outside the state due to lack of proper guidance and financial issues. Therefore, we decided to start this initiative,” he added.

Yadav, got in touch with Bunnem Tangha, an employee of the women and child development department in the state who had studied in Delhi University to search for deserving candidates who needed help to pursue their higher studies. Tangha was able to find six students of which three district toppers-Longsam Sapong (89.4%), Senthung Yangchang (89.2%) and Leecha Haisa (80.6%)- were selected. With help from Yadav and Tangha, the students have been able to secure admissions in Delhi University where all three would be pursuing Political Science (Hons.)

“It was easy to find the students, but difficult to convince them and their parents to apply to Delhi University. The two girls-Leecha and Senthung-were worried about crimes against women in the national capital,” said Tangha. “But I gave them my example and told them how studying in Delhi would help them get more opportunities, which in turn could help their families as well. I told them about all the pros and cons. Now all of them are excited,” she added.

Sapong, whose family is engaged in farming, was planning to join a college in Arunachal’s capital Itanagar but is now looking forward to continue his education at Delhi College of Arts and Commerce where he has secured admissions.