At 12 years old, Neha knew the answers in English but was too scared to speak, fearing others would laugh. Many children understand English but struggle to speak it confidently.
Roshni Gupta, 17, noticed this problem while visiting schools and care homes in Bengaluru. Children spoke confidently in their native languages but became quiet when asked to speak English.
Understanding the Challenge
Roshni realized the children understood English well. "It was not that they lacked understanding. They just were not used to speaking without fear," she explained. The real issue was a lack of confidence, not a lack of knowledge.
We're a new kind of news feed.
Regular news is designed to drain you. We're a non-profit built to restore you. Every story we publish is scored for impact, progress, and hope.
Start Your News DetoxA Turning Point
Roshni asked a student to explain something she had written. "Everything was correct, but she could not speak it in English," Roshni recalled. This moment showed her that the problem was about expression, not knowledge.
Launching Project Vidya
In August 2023, Roshni started Project Vidya. This initiative focuses on spoken English, communication, and building confidence. It moves away from traditional grammar lessons and memorization.
Making English Comfortable
Roshni wanted to remove the fear of speaking English. "We wanted to take away the fear of speaking, not by correcting every mistake, but by making it feel natural and comfortable," she said. The workshops are designed to be interactive.
Donating Books
Project Vidya also collects books through drives in Bengaluru apartments. They have gathered about 300 to 400 books, including storybooks, textbooks, and dictionaries. These books are then given to orphanages and partner schools.
A Global Youth Network
Project Vidya has grown beyond India. It now operates in the UAE, Rwanda, Kenya, and Lesotho. Volunteers, aged 13 to 25, run the project. There are about 40 active members across its different chapters.
Empowering Voices
Roshni's goal is for children to feel their voices are important. "Not only in English, but in any language, in any space," she stated. This vision guides Project Vidya's future.
