Trutiya Ratna is a community-led organisation working with children, youth, women, and persons with disabilities from historically marginalised communities in Bihar. Rooted in Phule-Ambedkarite values of equality, dignity, and social justice, we strive to create safe and inclusive spaces where individuals can access education, develop leadership, challenge discrimination, and realise their full potential.
Our work began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to the educational and livelihood challenges faced by children and families from marginalised communities. Over the years, it has grown into a broader movement for educational equity, gender justice, disability inclusion, youth leadership, and community empowerment.
Through community libraries, educational support, leadership development programmes, awareness campaigns, and community-based interventions, we work towards building informed, confident, and empowered communities capable of transforming their own futures.
Currently, Trutiya Ratna works across multiple districts of Bihar with a special focus on children, adolescents, youth, women, and persons with disabilities from Dalit, Bahujan, and other socially and economically marginalised communities.
Our Areas of Work
- Education and Learning Support
We provide educational support to children and young people through community libraries, after-school learning centres, school enrolment support, mentoring, educational resources, and guidance for higher education. We believe education is a powerful tool for dignity, critical thinking, and social transformation.
- Community Libraries and Resource Centres
Our community libraries function as safe learning spaces that provide access to books, educational materials, digital resources, and opportunities for collective learning. These centres serve as community hubs where children, youth, and adults can learn, read, discuss, and grow together.
- Children’s Rights and Protection
We work to ensure that children have access to education, protection, and opportunities for development. Our interventions include preventing school dropouts, supporting school enrolment, addressing child labour and child marriage, and promoting awareness of child rights within communities.
- Youth Leadership and Higher Education
We nurture young leaders through mentorship, leadership development programmes, exposure opportunities, career guidance, and support for higher education. We encourage youth participation, critical consciousness, and community ownership to create future leaders committed to social justice.
- Women’s Empowerment and Gender Justice
We work with girls and women to strengthen their access to education, leadership opportunities, rights awareness, and decision-making power. Through a feminist and intersectional approach, we promote gender equality and challenge social norms that limit the aspirations and freedoms of women and girls.
- Disability Inclusion and Empowerment
We advocate for the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Our efforts focus on improving access to education, supporting assistive devices, promoting accessibility, and creating inclusive opportunities for participation and leadership.
- Community Awareness and Human Rights
We organise discussions, trainings, and awareness programmes on issues such as caste discrimination, gender equality, disability rights, sexuality, mental health, legal rights, sexual and reproductive health, and social justice. These initiatives aim to build informed and empowered communities capable of challenging systemic inequalities.
- Community Resource Centres and Institution Building
We support the creation of community-owned institutions that serve as platforms for learning, collective action, leadership development, and access to information and resources. Our long-term vision is to strengthen local capacities and foster sustainable community-led change.