This Changemaker in Lucknow Overcomes Poverty to Build Institutions, a Hospital and Hope

Ashraf Bilal, St. Bilal Convent Inter College, Lucknow

Ashraf Bilal’s life isn’t just about teaching; it’s a journey of victory over childhood hardships and striving for a better future for his community. Coming from a big family facing financial struggles, he couldn’t go to a regular school. Growing up without formal schooling wasn’t easy for Ashraf. He often felt left out and worried about his future. But instead of giving up, he used those struggles as fuel to drive his ambitions. “I felt like I was missing out on so much,” he recalls. “But I knew I had to do something to change things for the better.”

Thinking back on those tough times, he says, “The challenges I went through as a kid only made me stronger, more determined to make a difference in education for my community.”

Breaking The Pattern For The Better

Driven by his parents’ dream for his education, Ashraf aimed to break the cycle of limited opportunities for poor families. In 1994, this vision materialized in the form of Saint Bilal Convent Inter School and to a premier College institution, offering quality education at affordable rates, some as low as Rs.1000 per month for science students. He reflects, “Education should be a ladder for everyone, regardless of their background.”

“Education should be a ladder for everyone, regardless of their background,” Ashraf makes his mission very clear as his college offers quality education at affordable rates, some as low as Rs.1000 per month for science students. 

Located in Uttar Pradesh, the institutions stand as a source of hope and learning. Over the years, it expanded to include an inter-college, a teacher-training college, and a hospital. As Ashraf puts it, “It’s not just an institution; it’s an answer to empowerment and community growth.” Every child, according to him, deserves the opportunity to dream and learn, irrespective of their background. He emphasizes, “Every child deserves the chance to dream and learn, no matter where they come from.”

Also Read: From Herding Cattle to Opening a School: How One Person is Empowering Village Children in Chamarajanagar

Solving The Root Issues

Ashraf faced many challenges in the early days. In a time when education wasn’t valued much, convincing parents to have their children educated was tough. But Ashraf remained committed. He says, “I kept pushing forward, and eventually, parents started noticing. However, as times changed, so did the hurdles.”

“Even though people began realizing the importance of education,” Ashraf continues, “financial struggles often stopped parents from affording school fees, hindering their children’s education.” On top of that, the school even needed to upgrade its teaching quality and tackle other technical issues at the administrative level.

To tackle the shortage of qualified teachers, Ashraf took a proactive step by starting a teacher training institute. He happily shares, “This move not only filled the teacher gap but also created job opportunities in our community. Today, we support 250 families through our school, which keeps me motivated to work even harder.”

Varthana’s Role in Fulfilling the Dream

Varthana played a vital role in making Ashraf’s dreams a reality by providing crucial funds for school infrastructure growth. He reflects, “The process of getting a loan from Varthana was smooth, and their representatives were very helpful, making it easy for us to access the funds with simple documentation and quick approvals.”

Their consistent support ensured that the funds were used effectively, in line with Ashraf’s educational vision, contributing to the school’s sustainable development. With Varthana’s financial backing, Ashraf was able to enhance the school’s facilities, resulting in more admissions and a significant positive impact on the community. Ashraf reflects, “This journey proves the incredible power of education and the strength individuals possess.” It highlights the role financial institutions can play in shaping a better future for communities.

He further emphasizes, “Varthana went beyond just providing financial support; they worked closely with us as collaborative partners in transforming our school’s growth, empowering both our students and teachers in the process.”

A Future With All Possibilities

Looking forward, Ashraf has a big picture in mind for the community’s development. He expresses, “I strongly believe that good health and education are essential for a better life, so I expanded our institution into the healthcare sector.” 

Adding a nursing training institute and a 150-bed hospital alongside the educational facilities further contributes to the community’s welfare.

Ashraf’s plan is clear – to empower individuals from all walks of life with the skills needed for employment. He states, “Whether it’s vocational training after eighth grade or nursing and teaching programs after twelfth, we aim to create job opportunities for every graduate.”

Ashraf shares, “I want to make a lasting impact. I want to change lives.” 

The success of Saint Bilal Convent Institutions highlights the belief that education can uplift lives and strengthen society. Ashraf concludes, “Education opens doors to opportunities and drives positive transformation.”

Also Read: From Aspiring Government Teacher to School Owner: How a Visionary Man Realizes His Dreams