Our Story
Three Friends. One Purpose. Lasting Change.
Started by Three Students from St. Xavier's College
Tiljala HRDC began as a small volunteer effort funded by the founders' own pocket money. With support from friends and fellow students, it grew into a community-led organisation working to strengthen education, wellbeing, and local systems.
What started as informal teaching for children in underserved communities has evolved over more than two decades into a structured organisation with a clear mission: enabling communities to lead change.
A Timeline of Growth
The Beginning
A group of 3 students from St. Xavier's College Kolkata, namely Uttam, Shafkat, and Goutam, began teaching children in underserved communities, driven by a simple belief: education can change lives.
Growing with the Community
What began as informal teaching evolved into a community-led effort, reaching more children and families through consistent engagement. The "Contribute Your Skills" initiative encouraged people to share their expertise.
Formal Registration
In 2003, Tiljala HRDC was formally registered, marking its transition into a structured organisation working across education, mental health, skills, and community development.
Expanding Programs
Programs expanded to include after-school learning centres, mental health support, and skill development for youth. Partnerships with local schools and NGOs grew steadily.
Becoming a Movement
Over the years, Tiljala HRDC's work grew in scale and impact, guided by a strong focus on participation, local leadership, and sustainable change. More than 3,000 children have been supported to date.
23+ Years of Community-Led Change
Today, Tiljala HRDC runs integrated programs across education, mental wellbeing, capacity building, and co-curricular development, with a growing network of community partners and frontline workers.
Our Journey in Detail
Tiljala Human Resource Development Centre began with a simple act of compassion. While studying at St. Xavier's College Kolkata, Uttam, Shafkat, and Goutam came together with a shared concern for children growing up in underserved communities around Kolkata.
During their college years, they began informally teaching children from nearby low-income neighbourhoods and organised small donation drives among friends and residents. Coming from middle-class families themselves, resources were limited. Much of the early support came from their own pocket money and small contributions collected from friends and relatives during festivals such as Eid and Diwali.
As more volunteers joined, they launched the "Contribute Your Skills" initiative, encouraging people to share their knowledge and expertise with the community. Teachers, professionals, and students began volunteering their time regularly.
The work quickly moved beyond academics, addressing the social, emotional, and economic barriers that kept children from learning and thriving. Family engagement became a core part of the approach early on.
In 2003, Tiljala HRDC was formally registered as a non-profit organisation, marking a significant turning point. This allowed the organisation to access institutional support, develop structured programs, and build partnerships with other NGOs and government bodies.
The founders remained deeply committed to a community-driven approach, ensuring that local voices shaped the direction of the work rather than top-down mandates.
Over more than two decades, Tiljala HRDC has grown into a multi-program organisation reaching thousands of children and families. The integrated approach, connecting education, mental wellbeing, and capacity building, has become the defining strength of the organisation.
The founding spirit of compassion, community partnership, and dignity-centred practice remains at the heart of everything we do.