Working with children is both joyful and deeply rewarding—but it also comes with real challenges. In the communities where many of the women artisans live, children often face significant obstacles in their schooling.
Most children attend English-medium schools because their parents believe that learning in English will give them better opportunities in the future. However, English is not the language spoken at home, and learning it can be difficult without regular practice. At the same time, the education system places heavy emphasis on exams, which often means memorization becomes the main path to success.
Classroom conditions add another layer of difficulty. Classes typically have 50 to 55 students, making individual attention almost impossible. Teachers are stretched thin, balancing lesson preparation, classroom discipline, and grading. For many children, this means that questions go unanswered and concepts remain unclear.
At home, the situation can also be challenging. Many of the women themselves did not have the opportunity to complete their education, so helping their children with schoolwork is often not possible, even when they deeply want to support them.
Because of these gaps, many families send their children to private tutorial classes after school. Yet these classes are not always ideal either, often with around 20 students in a group, which again limits individual attention. Still, parents continue to spend the money because they see no other option. Even among the cooperative families—who are somewhat more financially stable than others in their neighborhoods—this can be a strain. And for many families in the wider community, tutorial classes are simply unaffordable.
The Education for Life program initially focused on extracurricular learning—sports, science fairs that encouraged research and curiosity, and activities such as public speaking. Over time, however, it became clear that additional academic support was also needed.
In response, open coaching classes were introduced. On certain days, teachers are available to help students with specific subjects. Children can come with questions, work through difficult topics, or simply receive the kind of individual guidance they rarely get in school. The classes are informal and flexible—students come when they need help.
The program was never advertised, participation spread entirely through word of mouth. Today, it is so popular that sessions are often held on Saturdays and Sundays as well.
Over the years, we have learned that the challenge is rarely a lack of motivation. Children want to learn, and their parents are determined to give them every opportunity to succeed. What is often missing is access—someone with the time to explain, listen, and encourage when a child is struggling.
When that support exists, children respond immediately. They come with questions, stay longer, and return again and again. Their confidence and curiosity begin to grow.
This is where MarketPlace’s approach makes a difference: by recognizing real needs and responding in practical ways that create opportunities with lasting impact.
