For a while, 9-year-old Badal had little interest in going to school. Coming from an economically challenged and socially discriminated community in India, Badal had lost hope of ever improving his family’s living conditions. Like many children from a local tribal community, his lack of educational opportunities left him with little motivation. When Badal’s uncle, who lived about 25 miles from Badal, learned about the Hope House Evening Learning Centre (ELC) near his home, he brought his nephew to his village. Soon after Badal joined the center, his life changed.