Two Indian-American teenage sisters are helping to reshape education in one of India’s most remote regions, bringing opportunities for hands-on science, technology and creative learning to Sundarbans classrooms that once relied almost entirely on blackboards and textbooks.At Swapnopuron Shiksha Niketan in Hingalganj, a quiet but significant change is underway. Students are embracing a new way of learning – experiential education supported by technology that encourages curiosity, experimentation and ambition. The transformation is driven by a long-standing partnership between the U.S.-based youth-led nonprofit With Our Hearts (WOH) and the Indian philanthropic entity Katakhali Swapnopuron Welfare Society. WOH was co-founded by sisters Nisha Tara Saraiya and Nimisha Saraiya and founding member AlexisJain, Andrew Jain and Gavin Bender are on a mission in 2020 to expand access to quality education to underserved students around the world.Since 2023, US-based Hearts With Us has been working closely with schools through on-site visits and ongoing remote contact. Their efforts helped the association raise funds from Indian companies to enable the school to build permanent classrooms, set up a computer lab with internet access, provide teachers with laptops, introduce uniforms and arrange for safe school bus transportation.In the remote Sundarbans, where classrooms were once built on bamboo stilts and educational opportunities are scarce, the initiative is helping to reimagine what rural schools will look like. From building permanent classrooms and digital infrastructure to introducing STEAM-based learning, this work aims to create opportunities once unimaginable for many students in the region.“When we first visited the school in 2023, what we saw was a place trying to operate with very limited resources,” said Nisha Tara Saraiya, co-founder of With Our Hearts. “But we also see great potential in our students. That’s always been with us. “Her sister and co-founder Nimisha Saraiya said the organization is focused on building a sustainable ecosystem rather than providing one-off support. “We spend time talking to teachers, parents and students to understand what the school actually needs. Our goal is always to create an environment where children not only go to school, but actually learn and grow.”“What’s encouraging now is that we are moving beyond basic access,” Nisha added. “It’s about depth—how students engage in learning, how they ask questions, and how they apply what they learn in the classroom in the lab.”This shift is most evident in WOH’s latest initiative with schools: moving from STEM education to STEAM education. WOH is working hard with Swapnopuron to establish dedicated STEAM and composite science laboratories, aiming to make learning more hands-on and experiential.“At Swapnopuron Shiksha Niketan, our mission is to provide education that inspires curiosity and helps students become problem solvers,” said Minister Satarupa Majumdar. We believe learning must go beyond textbooks, which is why we’ve partnered with WOH to create spaces where children can experiment and explore. “The planned complex laboratory will comply with CBSE standards and provide facilities for physics, chemistry and biology experiments. Students will be able to use scientific instruments, safely perform chemical reactions, and study biological models in detail—opportunities that were once unimaginable in the region.Beyond this, the STEAM Lab is envisioned as a multidisciplinary space where science and creativity meet. Students will work with electronics kits, learn to code, and explore design thinking. Tools such as 3D printers will allow them to turn their ideas into tangible models, making abstract concepts easier to understand.The program also includes early exposure to robotics, where students will learn to design, build and program simple machines. Educators say this hands-on approach helps develop problem-solving skills and teamwork while making learning more engaging. “This exposure builds confidence,” Majumdar said. “WOH measures not only prepare students for exams but also for future careers and opportunities.““With Our Hearts” also supports academic development beyond infrastructure. During a recent visit in January, the WOH team worked with teachers to develop a technology-integrated curriculum across multiple disciplines. Most recently, students produced highly detailed digital platforms on current global issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on the past, present and future, which were then presented to WOH during an online check-in session in April.But challenges remain. Like many rural schools, SwapnopuronShiksha Niketan faces declining enrollment in upper grades as students face financial and social barriers to further education. Current efforts are focused on improving student retention through community outreach, mentoring and more engaging learning experiences.“We are not just building classrooms; we are building the future,” Majumdar said. “With the right support, these kids can dream bigger.”
