Anand Sonkamble, a Government School Teacher in Chargaon, Mobilised Support and Spent His Own Salary to Transform a Crumbling School Attended by Students from Adivasi Communities (VIDEO)
For the last 30 years, Anand Sonkamble has been teaching at various Zilla Parishad schools with great gusto and passion. But his journey has not been just about teaching. While teaching is one part of his job, the greater challenge, he believes, is ensuring that children not only come to school but also have a safe environment in which to learn. Currently posted at a primary school in Chargaon…
Anand Sonkamble, a dedicated government school teacher in Chargaon, took it upon himself to revamp a crumbling school attended by students from Adivasi communities. With a 30-year career in teaching, Sonkamble's mission extends beyond imparting knowledge; he emphasizes the importance of providing students with a safe learning environment.
Arriving at his post in Chargaon in September, Sonkamble was dismayed by the school's deteriorating condition—a leaky roof threatening to collapse and inadequate facilities. Undeterred, he reached out to government officials, corporates, well-wishers, NGOs, and friends to rally support for enhancing the school's infrastructure. The result was a newly constructed ground-plus-one building, adjacent to the dilapidated structure, offering the students a safer space for learning.
Sonkamble's commitment didn't stop at constructing a new building. He also spent a significant portion of his monthly salary to improve the educational facilities. Believing that students deserve access to his salary, Sonkamble invested thousands of rupees from his own pocket to purchase a smart TV, enabling the students to benefit from digital learning beyond their regular curriculum.
Mukesh Vispute, the President of Rotary Club of Ambarnath (2025-26), lauds Sonkamble's persistence and commitment. Upon visiting the school, Vispute's Rotary Club found the infrastructure in a severely neglected state. The classrooms were in disrepair, the toilet facilities were inadequate, especially for girls, and the school kitchen was in poor condition.
In response, the Rotary Club adopted the school under their Happy School Project, undertaking a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade. This included constructing a new classroom on the first floor, building separate toilets for boys and girls, renovating the kitchen, and providing essential amenities such as benches, cupboards, and fans.
Vispute emphasizes that the club's goal was not merely to renovate a building but to create a safe, hygienic, and conducive learning environment where every child can learn with dignity and confidence. For those wishing to support Anand Sonkamble’s ongoing efforts to further enhance the school, contacting him at +91 77220 72007 is encouraged.
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