As part of its community engagement under the Human Development Leadership Programme (HDLP), a team —comprising members of the Block Human Development Team (BHDT), Block Development Officer (BDO), Headman, VEC, VHC, Headman and Lady Supervisor (LS), ASHA, CRC, Education Department officials, and the Block Programme Manager (BPM)— visited Sohma Village in Mawkyrwat Block on March 28, 2025. The visit aimed to identify households facing significant human development challenges.
During a follow-up visit, the team encountered the case of Darilis Wanniang, a young girl who had dropped out of school in 2024 after being detained in Class IX. Through close dialogue with the family, led by the BPM, who engaged directly with Darilis’s mother—the HDLP team worked collaboratively to understand the reasons for her disengagement. Darilis, a teenager with a strong desire to continue her education, was facing discouragement from her father. The family was counseled on the importance of education, and information on services available for school dropouts was shared. Additionally, the Education Department committed to counseling the father to help him understand the importance of allowing his daughter to pursue her studies.
Darilis has now been successfully re-enrolled in Phelina Memorial Secondary School for the 2025 academic year—a meaningful outcome of sustained, field-level follow-up.
Her story reflects the strength of HDLP’s approach: identifying critical gaps through direct engagement, facilitating joint action, and building trust at the last mile. More than a personal milestone, this is a shared achievement—demonstrating how proactive, people-first governance can revive aspirations and restore access to basic rights like education.
Darilis’s journey is a reminder of what becomes possible when communities and systems come together with shared purpose. It also underscores the need to scale HDLP’s responsive model across blocks and villages—ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.