Education has the power to transform lives, families, and entire communities. At Help Smile Trust, we strongly believe that access to quality education should never be limited by geography, gender, or financial constraints. Guided by this belief, the Trust has donated £10,000 (approximately ₹10,50,000 INR) towards the expansion of a government-aided high school in Paliyad, Gujarat, India—a project deeply rooted in history, gratitude, and social responsibility.
Background: A School with Growing Needs
The Paliyad school has served generations of students and currently provides education up to the 10th standard (equivalent to GCSE level). Over the years, the number of enrolled students has steadily increased—especially with growing awareness and acceptance of girls’ education, which was not always the norm in earlier decades.
Despite this progress, the infrastructure remained unchanged, resulting in significant space constraints. Classrooms became overcrowded, limiting the school’s ability to accommodate more students and maintain an optimal learning environment.
The Challenge Beyond Class 10
For higher education (11th and 12th standards, equivalent to AS and A levels), students were required to travel to Botad, located approximately 15–20 km from Paliyad. While some families managed this commute, many parents—particularly of female students—were reluctant to send their daughters so far due to safety, travel logistics, and financial concerns. As a result, several students were forced to discontinue their education after the 10th standard.
This created a clear need: bringing higher secondary education to Paliyad itself, allowing students—especially girls—to continue their studies safely and comfortably within their own community.
A Personal Connection to the School
This initiative holds special emotional significance. Mr. Shailesh Vadodaria, Mr. Sudhir Vadodaria, and Mr. Bakul Saroliya all completed their primary education at this very school. The school itself was originally built in 1966 by the grandfather of Mr. Shailesh and Mr. Sudhir Vadodaria, establishing a deep-rooted family legacy tied to education and community upliftment.
Equally influential was Mr. Jashvantrai Vadodaria and Mrs. Ushaben Vadodaria (parents of Mr. Shailesh and Sudhir Vadodaria), whose values, dedication to family upbringing, and emphasis on giving back to society instilled a strong sense of social responsibility in their children. Their guidance sowed the seeds for this meaningful initiative.
Collective Effort, Shared Vision
- Help Smile Trust committed £10,000 towards the school’s expansion.
- Help Smile Trust, raised funds by organising a British 10K fundraising run, where 20–25 runners participated and appealed to friends and family to support the cause.
- Mr. Sudhir Vadodaria and his family generously contributed an additional ₹15 lakhs, raised through his tireless efforts in corporate coaching and training.
- Mr. Bakul Saroliya played a vital role on the ground, managing and executing key requirements to initiate the expansion project in Paliyad.
This collaboration reflects what can be achieved when passion, perseverance, and purpose come together.
Inspiration from Past Work
Help Smile Trust’s commitment to education is longstanding. In 2022, the Trust funded the construction of a dedicated 1,000 sq. ft. educational room within the Dhareshwar Mahadev Temple compound. Despite logistical challenges, the project was successfully completed in 2023, creating a space that now accommodates 80 students from slum areas.
The success of this initiative served as a powerful inspiration to undertake the Paliyad school expansion—extending the same philosophy of access, dignity, and opportunity.
from the nearby slum area.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Paliyad
With the planned expansion to include 11th and 12th standards, students in Paliyad will no longer need to travel long distances for higher education. The school will be able to:
- Enroll more students
- Reduce space constraints
- Encourage continued education, especially for girls
- Strengthen the local community through learning
Conclusion
This project stands as a testament to what is possible when individuals give back to the institutions that shaped them. Through the unwavering support of families, trustees, volunteers, and donors, Help Smile Trust continues its mission to create lasting impact—one school, one student, and one community at a time.
Together, we are not just expanding a building—we are expanding hope, opportunity, and futures.
