Wali Rahmani's Umeed: Transforming Generational Poverty into Visionary Leadership
In 2018, deep in the congested lanes of Tiljala, a densely populated neighbourhood in South Kolkata, Wali Rahmani founded Umeed Academy with a mission to uplift underprivileged children in his community. Starting in a modest three-storey building with just three orphaned boys, the school quickly gained attention, growing in both numbers and ambition. Today, Umeed Academy, now known as Umeed Global School, has found a new home in Bhojerhat, South 24 Parganas, where it serves over 350 students and continues to transform lives.
At the centre of this remarkable journey is Rahmani, a 26-year-old visionary committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for these children. With an emphasis on both modern education and Islamic principles, Umeed Global School equips its students to become the leaders of tomorrow, driven by a powerful blend of faith and innovation.
The Genesis of Umeed Academy
Rahmani’s journey began at the age of 18, with a simple yet profound vision: to help ten impoverished children become future leaders dedicated to humanitarian causes. He wanted to adopt these children, train them, and inspire them to bring positive change to society. However, he encountered scepticism and resistance—no mother would entrust her child to an 18-year-old with such lofty ambitions.
During this challenging period, Rahmani found solace in a saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this, and he held his two fingers together.” Inspired by this, Rahmani set a new goal: to become a father figure to at least ten orphaned children by the age of 20. After six months of searching, Rahmani and his team launched Umeed Academy on April 1, 2018, with three orphan boys.
The academy’s success was rapid and undeniable. More children sought enrollment, and the original vision of adopting just ten grew into a far more extensive undertaking. Eventually, the numbers reached 350 children, with Rahmani offering not only an education but also meals, healthcare, and a sense of security and family.
Expanding the Vision: From Tiljala to Bhojerhat
The rapid growth of Umeed Academy quickly outpaced the capacity of its original location in Tiljala. Space was limited, and the cramped building could barely fit 300 children. Rahmani faced mounting pressure as many as 1,500 parents sought admission for their children. Realizing the urgent need for a larger, more suitable facility, Rahmani turned to his online presence for support.
An influential YouTuber with millions of followers, Rahmani made a heartfelt appeal on his channel, requesting funds to expand the academy. His video went viral, spreading across social media and reaching communities far beyond Kolkata. Within a week, Rahmani had raised Rs 7 crore of his Rs 10 crore goal, demonstrating the power of collective action and the compassion of his followers.
With this funding, Umeed Academy relocated to a spacious new campus in Bhojerhat, South 24 Parganas, and rebranded as Umeed Global School. The new location offers room for growth and the ability to expand its educational and extracurricular programs.
A Modern Education with Islamic Values
Umeed Global School offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines modern subjects with Islamic studies, fostering a well-rounded education for its students. Rahmani explains, “We follow the CBSE curriculum, but we teach more than academics. We provide Quran recitation, Islamic history, Seerah, and Islamic etiquettes.” This approach allows students to cultivate a strong moral foundation alongside academic excellence.
Rahmani’s vision for the school extends to cutting-edge fields such as IT, robotics, and coding. “I want these kids to be drone pilots, to master the latest technologies,” he says. For Rahmani, technology represents a path to empowerment, and he hopes to inspire his students to become innovators and leaders within the Muslim community.
A Focus on Holistic Development
Recognizing that many of his students come from backgrounds marked by poverty and trauma, Rahmani emphasizes the importance of holistic development. Umeed Global School provides three meals a day, ensuring students are well-nourished and able to focus on their studies. The school also offers regular health check-ups and psychological support, attending to the physical and emotional needs of each child.
Self-defence is a key component of the school’s extracurricular offerings. “Given the environment our children come from, where they are susceptible to sexual as well as domestic violence, kickboxing is taught at Umeed Academy,” says Rahmani. The school has already produced six national champions in the sport, reflecting its commitment to empowering children both mentally and physically.
Beyond physical development, the school places a strong emphasis on character building. “We teach them politeness, humility, compassion, mercy, and integrity. It’s about building character, not just intellect,” Rahmani adds. Through mentorship and personalized guidance, Rahmani works to instil values that will help his students navigate life’s challenges with resilience and faith.
Breaking the Chains of Generational Poverty
Rahmani’s vision for Umeed Global School goes far beyond the classroom. He is determined to tackle the root causes of poverty by equipping his students with the skills to uplift their communities. “The main idea was how do we stop generational poverty? I believe it’s through modern contemporary education,” he says. Rahmani’s approach is to address immediate needs while also creating a path to lasting change.
In addition to academics, the school holds anti-drug awareness programs, teaches menstrual hygiene to female students, and advocates for the rights of children under the RTE Act and the POCSO Act. Umeed Global School also actively fights against social issues such as child labour and child marriage, working with local communities to raise awareness and protect vulnerable children.
The Future of Umeed Global School
Rahmani dreams of seeing his students at premier institutions like Ivy League universities, and he envisions a future where they return to their communities as leaders, ready to inspire the next generation. Despite facing scepticism from some within the Muslim community, Rahmani remains committed to his mission. “Whenever something good happens, Muslims become very critical,” he says. “But this is about the future of the Ummah.”
Through Umeed Global School, Rahmani has redefined the concept of charity and education within the Muslim community. His approach combines innovative teaching methods with a deep-rooted commitment to Islamic values, offering a blueprint for how educational initiatives can address generational poverty and inspire visionary leadership. As Rahmani himself puts it, “I’m not teaching them so they feed their stomachs, I’m teaching them so they serve Allah.”
In an era marked by inequality and economic hardship, Umeed Global School shines as a beacon of hope. With Rahmani’s unwavering dedication and the support of a growing community, the school is poised to transform lives and create a brighter future for children in Kolkata and beyond.
