From Selling Gold To Shaping Futures: Larzy Varghese’s Three-Decade Mission To Educate Mumbai's Slum Children

Mumbai: Larzy Varghese has been a guiding light for underprivileged children for almost the past three decades, transforming their lives through education. At 57, she continues her dedicated mission, ensuring that slum children receive quality education and a promising future.

About Larzy Varghese

Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Larzy moved to Mumbai in 1992 after marriage. Settling in Malvani, she was deeply moved by the sight of poor children playing near open gutters, deprived of formal education, worries of mothers, unhealthy and unhygienic living, determined to make a difference, she took a bold step, selling her ancestral land and gold to establish a school in Malvani’s Azmi Nagar in 2004. Starting with just 25 students, her institution has now expanded into St. Matthew's High School and Junior College, offering classes from the first standard to junior college in arts, commerce, and science streams. She serves as the Principal and Founder of the school.

Larzy’s commitment to education and women’s empowerment has been recognised on an international level. Recently, she represented India at the United Nations Organisation (UNO) session, where she shared her insights on education for the underprivileged and gender equality. This was her second time at the UNO, having attended the Women’s Day session in 2022.

Speaking about her journey, Larzy said, "When I first came to Mumbai, I worked in different private schools. At that time, Malvani was plagued by crime, including murders and robberies, and I saw how children's lives were being ruined. I wanted to do something for these underprivileged children. After several sleepless nights, I finally decided to teach them. Initially, I started giving education in two rented rooms, and after years of struggle, I now run a proper school in the slum area."

Larzy holds an MA in History and a B.Ed. She was an active member of the literacy campaign in Kerala. During her college days, she worked as an active member of 'Literacy Mission' before her marriage. Upon arriving in Malvani, she realised the dire need for a school and began her initiative in two rented rooms with borrowed electricity from an acquaintance. Despite financial hardships, she persevered, using her savings, selling her gold, and selling an acre of land in Kerala that she had received from her parents as a wedding gift. With the money she obtained from selling the gold and property, she purchased land in Malvani and established a proper school. Her husband, who worked in a diamond polishing company, and his family provided her with moral support throughout her struggle.

"The first eight years were extremely challenging," she recalled. "I faced financial constraints, infrastructure issues, a hygienic and unhealthy environment and difficulties in obtaining government permissions. Slowly, several NGOs stepped in to support me. In 2006,  Education Department officers visited my school, appreciated my efforts, and granted official recognition in 2009. Today, many of my former students have become lawyers, engineers, doctors, and even MPhil graduates and PHD holders. Some have returned to help me run the school. It brings me immense satisfaction to see the change I once dreamed of."

Apart from providing free education, Larzy also introduced free skill development programs for mothers in collaboration with NGO Akshaya Shakti Project called 'AkshayaDaga Stitches'. Through this project, she is empowering thousands of unemployed Mothers and empowering families financially. Her unwavering commitment has earned her several prestigious awards, including the 'International School' Award from the British Council. She has also represented India at an international education summit in Malaysia, the Philippines and Finland, further showcasing her impact on global platforms. She is actively participating in IWPG (International Women’s Peace Group Korea), and she is an award winner too. Larzy Varghese’s life is a testament to the power of perseverance, compassion, and the belief that education can transform lives. Her extraordinary efforts continue to inspire and uplift countless underprivileged children, paving the way for a brighter future.