Lokuttara Leadership Academy is a transformative residential learning community
dedicated to empowering disadvantaged youth, women, and families through education, leadership, and employment.
Reneesh Raju
“My name is Reneesh, and I am 17 years old. I come from Kasaragod, in the far north of Kerala. My parents are separated, and I live with my mother, who works very hard as a housemaid and a nurse. I recently finished my ‘Plus Two’ studies at Blossom Lokuttara Academy, and I am now waiting for my results.
Blossom really changed my life; it stimulated my ambitions and helped me set clear goals for my future. In fact, if I hadn’t come here, I don’t think I would have ever finished my course. I plan to join an ITI next year to train as an electrician. As soon as I turn 18 and become a legal adult, I will apply for my passport because I want to go to the UAE to find a good job. I am so grateful for this place and everything it has done for me.”
“My name is Samjith, and I am from Kasaragod, in the far north of Kerala. My parents are separated, so I spend time living with both of them. My mother works as a housemaid, and my father is an auto-rickshaw driver.
Before I joined Blossom, I did not focus on my education. In my village, my friends and I would spend every evening at a small junction or a playground. We stayed out until midnight just chatting, and because I was living with my father, no one was there to tell me to study. I never opened a book after school. I only passed my 10th-grade exams because of the ‘all-pass’ system.
When I first arrived at Blossom, I really struggled. I could not read or write well in English, or even in my native language, Malayalam. However, the school gave me the individual support and care I needed. The teachers and the ‘Kulapathi’ check our notebooks every week, so I learned that I could not escape my responsibilities.
Now, Blossom has helped me find my goal. After I finish my ‘Plus Two’ studies, I want to become a soldier. I plan to join a military coaching center in Kasaragod and train hard to join the Indian Army through the Agniveer program. I love the idea of serving my country.”
“My name is Athulya, and I am from Thiruvananthapuram. My childhood was difficult because my biological father drank heavily and was violent. My mother eventually left him and remarried when I was in the 5th standard. My stepfather is a good man who works hard as a daily labourer to support us, but he struggles with mental health issues. He often feels insecure and worries that we will leave him. Because of his insecurity, his love can feel suffocating. He tries to control everything, even my choice of clothes, which makes me very uncomfortable. Sometimes he becomes violent.
For me, Blossom is a place of peace. Here, I feel like I am finally flying. I have experienced liberty, love, care, and friendship in a way I never have before. These two years have changed my life, and I will never forget them. Here, I have experienced true liberty and friendship
I am very excited to study Social Work. I love this course because it is not just about traditional books and theory. It involves a lot of practical work and interacting with the public. This hands-on way of learning is exactly what I enjoy. My dream is to join Loyola College or Marian College. If I do not pass all my subjects right away, I will study a Computer Application diploma while I retake my exams. No matter what, I will complete my education and start my degree in Social Work next year.”
“My name is Vineetha SB, and I am from Thiruvananthapuram. My father left my mother, my older sister, and me when we were young. My mother works very hard as a gardener at Bolgatty Palace to support us. Because of our situation, I have lived in hostels since I was a small child; I have very few memories of living at home.
My home village is not a good place for studying because it is always very noisy with a lot of quarreling. I needed a peaceful place to learn. My English was already good in school, but since joining Blossom, I have had many chances to improve it even more. I love the English language, and I try to use every opportunity to practice.
My goal is to study BA English Literature at Kariavattom University in Thiruvananthapuram. In the future, I want to become an English teacher and a writer. I am excited to share my stories with the world.” I also have a second option: I am interested in studying Psychology. I would love to become a psychologist or a counsellor so I can help others.
“My name is Ajay Raju, and I am from Pathanamthitta. I live with my father and my sister. My mother passed away last year after struggling with cancer. I live in a colony with about 60 families. Although my father drinks, he does not cause problems at home. However, my neighbourhood is very loud. There are constant quarrels and fights between the people in my colony and the neighbouring ones. Because of all the noise and trouble, there was no motivation for my study. I never studied at home during my school years. I only moved from grade to grade because my school used an ‘all-pass’ system. I never even did my homework in my entire school time.
Everything changed when I came to Blossom. For the first time in my life, I passed all my subjects in the 11th-grade public exams. This was not because of an ‘all-pass’ system; it was because I worked hard. The teachers here gave me full support, and now I feel a sense of self-respect and confidence I never had before.
After I finish my ‘Plus Two’ course, I plan to go to Thrissur to take a Fire and Safety course. I want to work in the Gulf because I heard there are many job openings in that field. If I get a good job there, my goal is to help recruit other students from Blossom Lokuttara Academy so they can have a bright future too.”
**My Story**
My name is Arun Raj, and I come from the Chengara land struggle area in Pathanamthitta. My father, who is one of the leaders of the struggle, is a hardworking mason and a very responsible but strict person. His dream was for me to become a District Collector. I also have an older sister who is currently pursuing her graduation.
From childhood, my father maintained strict discipline at home and encouraged us to study regularly. Until 7th standard, I was a good student and followed his guidance. However, from 8th standard onward, I started resisting his strict rules and lost interest in studies.
After a disagreement about my studies, my father stepped back from guiding me and focused only on my sister’s education. My mother always supported me, and we became very close.
I joined Blossom to move away from the pressure and strictness at home. After Plus Two, I hope to study multimedia and get a job quickly to support my mother, who works as a housemaid. At the same time, I also dream of pursuing a graduation in Law if possible.
**My Story**
My father’s name is Kunjumon and my mother’s name is Chitra. My father had another family before marrying my mother and has two older sons. I also had a younger brother who passed away when we were young.
Growing up, there was constant fighting at home because of my father’s drinking and violence toward my mother. Despite the difficult times, some of my happiest memories are family trips to Kanyakumari and temple visits.
One of my most painful memories happened in 9th standard when I had to stop my father from hurting my mother. That moment still stays with me. Because of the problems at home, I could not focus on studies and often stayed with relatives.
After 10th standard, another major conflict led my mother to leave home. Later, I moved to my aunt’s house, and then my uncle brought me to Lokuttara.
At Lokuttara, I finally found peace and a better environment to study. I want to continue my education after Plus Two, pursue a degree in History at Kerala University, Kariavattom Campus, and also take a computer course to build my future.
My name is Sunu. I come from Pathanamthitta . My father is a heavy drinker, and it is my mother who manages everything by working as a housemaid. Because of my father’s drinking, there are constant fights at home. I usually only go home late at night to sleep.
For me, Blossom was a place of peace. Here, I felt truly safe. These two years have been very happy for me. I received the peace, safety, and joy here that I never experienced at my own home.
After my “Plus Two,” my dream is to study Journalism. This is an ambition I have had for a long time. Once, the Academy took us to visit a University. That was my very first journey on a train. While we were there, we visited the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. I found the things in that department very interesting, so I am considering it as my second option. I am also thinking about studying LLB (Law).
If my family situation does not support these choices, I will go for Ayurveda Nursing. My goal is to try and find a job somewhere abroad(Gulf) in the future.
My name is Shivapriya, and I am from Ernakulam. My parents are separated, and I live with my aunt and her three children. Although my parents live separately, they both support me financially and stay involved in my life.
I was a good student in school, and since joining Blossom, my English skills and personal growth have improved significantly. The supportive teachers, cultural programs, and special classes have given me learning experiences beyond academics.
My aunt’s family has a close connection with Arun Sir through the Annual English Winter Camps, which led me to join this academy.
I have worked hard here, and my goal is to pursue a Diploma in Social Work in Nagpur while becoming fluent in English and Hindi. After that, I plan to prepare for entrance exams and pursue graduation at Azim Premji University or another Central University.
**My Story**
My name is Aleena, and I am from Kollam. I joined Blossom after being inspired by Abhayamegha chechi, a former Lokuttara Academy student who continued her studies through Nagaloka and later joined a Central University.
My dream is to follow a similar path by joining Nagaloka for an eight-month diploma course, improving my English and Hindi, and preparing for entrance exams to Azim Premji University or other Central Universities. If possible, I hope to pursue my post-graduation abroad.
My parents are separated due to difficulties at home caused by frequent conflicts and my father’s drinking. My father works as a driver and my mother as a home nurse, and both continue to support and visit me.
Blossom has given me a peaceful and encouraging environment. Along with studies, the activities and support from teachers have helped build my confidence. I was an average student before, but after joining Blossom, my academic performance improved greatly, and I am confident about achieving good results in Plus Two.
