Ayang Trust

Ayang Trust's programme, The Hummingbird School, emerged from the aspirations of Kulamua village in Majuli. Isolated and lacking basic amenities, the villagers believed education was pivotal to overcoming poverty. With the support of 19 neighbouring villages, founder Bipin Dhane collaborated with the community to establish the school, named after its shared vision. Commencing in January 2017 with 70 students, the school extended its scope, providing education to 250 children and hosting 90 in its facilities. Diverging from conventional education models, The Hummingbird School aims to be a beacon of high-quality, pertinent education for disadvantaged children in Northeast India. Focusing on scientific curiosity, humanism, and critical inquiry – values mandated by the country's constitution – the school's approach contrasts with the rote learning prevalent in traditional education.

Within its Education initiatives, Ayang Trust's School Transformation Programme grew from the positive impact witnessed by teachers in their initial mobile library project school. Recognizing the transformative effects of child-centric teaching and learning methods, it expanded its involvement to encompass additional subjects at the request of these teachers. The organisation collaborated with Government schools through its Manthan fellowship programme, which provides a two-year immersive journey for young adults. Designed to foster skills, social awareness, and a commitment to rural education, this fellowship addresses the lack of skilled and motivated rural youth who can act as catalysts for social change, especially in the context of Majuli. Unlike many existing fellowships that often have stringent skill requirements favouring candidates from privileged urban institutions, Ayang Trust's Manthan fellowship aims to be more inclusive and accessible.

In its Livelihood efforts, Ayang Trust engages in skill-building initiatives that enrich local traditions in Majuli. Through training and technology integration, it enhances traditional livelihoods such as weaving, bamboo crafts, and food processing. The organisation conducts needs assessments and provides training for less prevalent market interventions, like bakery skills. Following the training, women receive tools or assistance in acquiring loans from SHGs and government entities for procuring machinery. The Trust facilitates connections to both local and external markets, including its shop Lekope, a bamboo crafts shop, and collaborations with various markets and exhibitions across the country. Adaptation to the pandemic led to online ventures like the Instagram page Lekope and partnerships with external platforms such as Little Local and Japi, extending market reach.

Ayang Trust's Community Resilience initiative includes the MITA (Mental Illness Treatment and Awareness) Project in collaboration with The Ant, Chirang District. MITA aims to provide mental healthcare to underserved communities. Monthly camps since November 2019 have treated over 200 registered patients, focusing on affordable, protocol-based treatment. Ayang Trust also works to destigmatize mental health through community visits, street plays, and engagement with health workers, leading to increased awareness and combating misconceptions. The project has enabled families to better understand mental illnesses and seek support, contributing to destigmatization in Majuli.