Anjani Dubey grew up in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. After finishing her 12th grade, her family arranged her marriage, and she moved to Malanpur. Life settled into a familiar rhythm managing cooking, childcare, and household responsibilities.

Even as she embraced family life, she often thought back to school days, where she enjoyed taking initiative and helping others. She was inspired by her mother, a healthcare worker, in a nearby village, who worked tirelessly to educate people about health. Anjani hoped to serve her community in a similar way, but that dream was set aside.

A new door opens

Years later, a message in a WhatsApp group caught her attention. Zenith SSLE was hiring community workers. She spoke with her family and, with their support, applied and got the job. It was her first step into the kind of work she had always wanted to do.

She started during the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting homes to spread awareness about vaccines and helped people access health services. It was a difficult time, but she took precautions and kept going. Slowly, people in the community began to see her and Zenith’s team as a source of support.

Post the pandemic, the team collectively named the centre the Samudayik Adhikar Kendra. Anjani was given the responsibility of connecting villagers to government schemes. Since people already knew her, it became easier to explain how these schemes could help.

While visiting villages, she realised that most people didn’t even know what benefits they were eligible for. This pushed her to organise camps to help them apply for schemes and get the documents they needed. What she appreciated most was that she could work with independence and approach problems in her own way.

A setback and a comeback

One day, while on her way to Tilori village, Anjani was in a serious road accident. She hit her head, fractured a rib, and lost consciousness. She was hospitalised with a brain injury and struggled with memory issues after returning home. The months of treatment that followed was very expensive.

The recovery period was hard. She faced pain, confusion, and disruptions in daily life. Her children’s studies and household work were affected, but she kept going. When she returned to work, her team welcomed her with care. Though she still experienced lapses, their support helped her rebuild her confidence.

A growing circle of trust and support

At work, she encountered issues as people did not know about relevant government schemes or how to apply. Many feared visiting government offices. Those who tried were often turned away or asked for bribes. She was, at times, mistaken for a government official inviting scepticism and frustration.

Anjani recalls a case that was particularly motivating and reaffirmed her purpose to continue. A man named Netram had died of oral cancer, and his wife Geeta struggled to access compensation. Errors in his documents blocked the claim. Anjani and Zenith’s team helped fix the issues and ensured Geeta received ₹2 lakh through the Sambal scheme. This allowed her to repay debts and recover pawned jewellery.

Today, Anjani sees her role not just as a job but as a way to support people around her. She considers her community part of her extended family. Each time someone walks into the centre for help and finds a solution, it strengthens her belief in her work.

Anjani shares that many still miss out on their entitlements due to corruption and lack of information. She believes more centres like the Samudayik Adhikar Kendra are needed, so people are not left behind. For her, helping someone claim what is rightfully theirs remains the most fulfilling part of her journey.