Swiss Woman Builds School for 500+ Kids in Rural India

Sandra Lavie Gojkovic had everything a successful career could offer, but one question kept her awake at night: Why do some people have so much while others have so little?

Growing up in Switzerland, Sandra traveled the world with her parents and witnessed stark inequality everywhere she went. Donating to charities felt too distant, so in 2011, she made a radical choice: she quit her corporate job in Dubai, packed two shirts and two pairs of trousers, and boarded a train across India.

Her journey eventually brought her to Sagar Island, a remote area in West Bengal accessible only by train and boat. Sandra didn't arrive with a master plan, she arrived ready to listen.

For months, she visited homes and sat with families, asking one simple question: "What do you need most?" The answer came back clearly: education.

In 2012, those conversations became The India School Project. But building trust proved harder than building classrooms.

Sandra went door to door across villages, personally convincing parents to believe in a future they had never imagined for their children. Many families had never considered keeping their kids in school when survival demanded everyone work.

Today, 180 children receive free primary education through her school. Another 180 students in government schools get academic support, books, materials and nutritious daily meals.

The Ripple Effect

Sandra quickly realized that breaking poverty's cycle required more than textbooks. The organization now trains women in livelihood skills and runs awareness programs addressing child marriage, human trafficking, domestic violence and girls' education.

Over the years, the initiative has developed 112 youth leaders and reached nearly 20,000 people across 30 villages. What started with one woman's question has grown into a movement transforming entire communities.

Sandra calls it her life's mission and shows no signs of stopping.