Our History

Grace Educational Trust began with Sister Francis Dass, Founder and Managing Director of the Trust, and her deep concern for children who were deprived of education and a safe childhood.

In 2003, Sister Francis began reaching out to children she encountered on the streets and at construction sites in Panjim. She saw young children rag-picking, begging, and selling plastic bags instead of attending school. Concerned about their situation, she spoke with their parents to understand why the children were not going to school.

The response from many families was a reflection of their difficult circumstances. Parents struggled with poverty and explained that they could not afford their children’s education. In some families, older children were also expected to stay at home to look after their younger siblings while the parents worked.

Sister Francis realised that helping these children required more than simply encouraging them to attend school. The families also needed guidance, support, and awareness about education, hygiene, health, and childcare.

In 2004, she began providing basic education and hygiene awareness to children at a small daycare centre and supported their enrolment in government schools. This became an important step in her continuing work with children and families in need.

In 2006, Sister Francis, together with a group of women, conducted a survey in Ramnagar, Betim. During the survey, they encountered very young children, some barely two years old, spending long hours without proper care on rough and muddy roads. Many children lacked adequate clothing and had little awareness of basic hygiene.

The team also came to understand the difficult circumstances faced by their families, including poverty, illness, unemployment, and challenging home situations. These experiences strengthened Sister Francis’s determination to create a safe and supportive environment for the children.

On 10 December 2006, Grace Educational Trust was established in Ramnagar, Betim. The Trust began its work by providing children with basic education, care, a safe environment, and a nutritious midday meal.

Alongside the children’s programme, weekly parenting meetings were conducted to support and guide mothers on important areas such as hygiene, nutrition, anaemia, cleanliness, health, childcare, and the importance of education.

The early years were not without challenges. Some children continued to be taken for begging, rag-picking, or other work, while others were frequently absent from school. Sister Francis and her team continued to visit families, counsel parents, and encourage them to keep their children in school.