In Their Words: Steady Hands in Uncertain Times

Mr. Amlan Roy, Communications Officer at Rishi Valmiki Eco School (RVES), recalls that before the pandemic, RVES was already working hard to provide a safe and stable learning environment for its students. With limited resources, the school had been slowly building up support systems — with early help from GEET in the form of a small library and other educational needs.

However, when COVID-19 hit, the sudden shift to online learning felt like standing on sand for RVES. Many students, particularly girls, faced the risk of dropping out. Some had never used a computer before. Others lacked devices or internet access entirely. At one point, the idea of the school having to close down didn't feel far off. During this time, GEET's support evolved. What had started as modest assistance became a lifeline. GEET provided stationery for at-home learning and stepped in with financial help when the school faced its most difficult constraints. Twenty-five students were fully sponsored, and each one was a child who might have otherwise been forced to leave school during the crisis.

For the girls at RVES, this meant more than just continuity in their studies. It was an introduction to digital learning for many, and a small but important buffer against the widening educational gap the pandemic had left in its wake. What emerged from that difficult period wasn't just recovery, but resilience. RVES didn't just survive the crisis — it adapted. Today, digital learning is integrated into classrooms, and the school continues to build on the foundation that was laid in those uncertain months.

The collaboration between GEET and RVES didn't begin with the pandemic, and it didn't end there either. It continues as a quiet partnership shaped by responsiveness, care, and the shared belief that no girl should be left behind—especially when the odds are stacked against her.