Orange seller’s savings build school, transforming education for hundreds

Mangaluru, Karnataka: After years of selling oranges at a bus stand, Harekala Hajabba turned his daily earnings into a school for his village, ensuring children would not grow up without education as he did.

Hajabba, who never had the chance to attend school himself, spent years saving money from his small orange-selling business near Mangaluru. Determined to change the future for local children, he used those savings to help establish a school in his village of Harekala.

What began as a modest effort has now grown into an institution that has educated hundreds of village children. The school has become a lifeline for families in the area, giving first-generation learners access to classrooms, teachers, and the opportunities Hajabba himself missed.

Hajabba’s journey from a roadside vendor to an education pioneer has earned him national recognition, but for the children of Harekala, his biggest impact is closer to home — a chance to learn, dream, and build a future.