STUDENT PROFILES

A compilation of stories of the inspiring lives of our students.

These positive changes would not have been possible without your generous help.

girls in jobs

AWAITING THEIR TURN

BHOOMIKA WADHWANI - DISCOVERING HER PASSION

Bhoomika's journey began with a heart-wrenching loss. She lost her father when she was very young. After her mother's untimely demise in 2021, she found herself in a world without parents, living with her uncle. The burden of orphan-hood weighed heavily on Bhoomika and her brothers, who couldn't help but feel like they were imposing on their uncle and his family. Despite her difficult circumstances, Bhoomika had a burning desire to secure a government job for financial security. However, with the help of regular career counseling and mentoring, she began to understand that her current focus should be on pursuing a vocation and starting to earn. 

She realized that she could always work towards her dream of securing a government job later, once she was able to support herself financially. Determined to shape her own destiny, Bhoomika enrolled in a college degree program through distance learning. Simultaneously, she joined a Diploma course in bakery and confectionery at the Jaipur National University.

Our Career Development Program played a pivotal role in Bhoomika's journey. With meticulous attention to detail, we not only support the girls in pursuing their dreams but also guide them in aligning their aspirations with the opportunities available to them. 

Currently in her final semester, Bhoomika is interning at the esteemed Ramada Hotel in Jaipur where she is honing her skills and expanding her knowledge in the art of baking. Baking is now a source of joy for Bhoomika and she envisions herself as a professional baker in a renowned hotel soon.

Suchita Rana - VIMUKTI GIRLS SCHOOL

Suchita Rana is an 8th grader at the Vimukti Girls School in Jaipur, with a dream to be an officer in the Indian army. Her grandfather and many others in her family have been in the army. Suchita hopes to carry on that tradition. When India went into lockdown in March 2020, for many families living in poverty, it was a sudden scramble for survival. For daily wage workers, this was an immediate crisis. Within a few days, the school had arranged for a month's rations to be safely delivered to the family of every Vimukti student. School was closed and learning had come to a complete halt. Then some basic online learning began through Whatsapp.

Since the phones belonged to the parents, the girls had limited time to complete assignments. Realising the urgency of this increasing gap in education, Edu-GIRLS stepped in to provide each student with their own tablet, loaded with lessons and self-learning software. Classes resumed through video conferencing. While Suchita misses going to school and seeing her friends and teachers, she is very happy to be studying and also becoming tech savvy.

Sinchana - SRGVVK SCHOOL

Sinchana, a 6th grader at SRGGVK school, Bengaluru, is severely impacted by COVID-19, yet making a heroic attempt to continue her education. Her father is a painter and mother a maid, and both lost their earnings due to COVID lockdown. The school, with Edu-GIRLS funding, distributed food rations. With schools closed for an indefinite time, classes continued through smartphones.

Sinchana’s parents do not have a smartphone and her mother has a hearing disability. This has not stopped Sinchana in her journey of learning. The lessons are sent either to her neighbor’s phone, or to her uncle’s phone who is an auto driver.

She receives these lessons when her uncle returns at night, or by visiting her neighbor. Now, with your support she will get her own tablet. She is motivated to continue her studies and excited to explore new ways of learning. 

J. Rakshita - SRGVVK SCHOOL

Rakshita, a 10th Grade student of the SRGVVK Trust School, Bengaluru India, is a young girl living in poverty. Her father is a manual laborer on daily wages. Her mother works at a garment factory. During the COVID-19 lockdown, both her parents were not able to earn any income and financial ruin was just around the corner.

Rakshita has said that were it not for the rations provided to her family during the COVID 19 lockdown, she and her sister Yashvanti, would have been on the street. This is why she hopes to become a Chartered Accountant.

Her wish is to have a nest egg and look after her parents in their old age. She finished Grade 10 Board getting a “Distinction”.

Preeti Mahavar - Vimukti School

Preeti Mahavar came to Vimukti as a toddler and grew into a motivated and disciplined student, with a dream to become a school teacher. She credits her parents with motivating her and her three siblings to get educated even when their family struggled financially. Preeti's father works as a driver on daily wages, and her mother stays home to look after the four children, but the family made education a priority, sending all four children to school.

Preeti excelled in 12th grade with distinction in Economics and Home Science. Today, she is a college student, in an integrated program which combines a Bachelor of Arts degree along with a Bachelor's of Education degree, qualifying her to become a school teacher.

Preeti is a role model for the children in her neighborhood who are inspired by her and wish to follow in her footsteps. Preeti misses her teachers at Vimukti, who always motivated her to excel. Looking at Preeti's positive outlook one would never know the adversity she has faced. An Edu-GIRLS scholarship will ensure that Preeti can follow her dreams and make her parents proud.

Amulya R. - SRGVVK School

Kanchan Sain - Vimukti School Alumnus

“Ambition is the first step to success. The second step is action ” - Kanchan

Kanchan Sain is 19 years old. She is an Ex-student of Vimukti Girls School. She studied in VGS till class VIII and then appeared for her class X through open schooling under the guidance of VGS. She then joined a Government school in class XI.

After completing her school in April 2016, she opted for a 2 year Beautician course from Government Polytechnic, Jaipur. Vimukti Sanstha, aided by Edu-GIRLS, provided financial support to Kanchan to pursue this course. She completed the course this year and is now placed in a Beauty Parlor and earning around Rs. 6000 per month. She wants to become a make-up artist and to open her own Parlor.

Kanchan’s father, Mr. Raju Sain is a driver. Her mother, Mrs Pushpa Sain works in a boutique. Kanchan has one younger sister who is studying in college, and one younger brother studying in class VIII in a government school. The family is finding it difficult to support their education expenses and Kanchan is now happy to support her family financially. 

Kanchan is a strong and ambitious girl. She wants all girls to focus on their ambitions, and more importantly, she wants that parents should support their daughters and them fulfill their dreams.

Neetu Sahu - Vimukti School

Neetu Sahu is 14 years old is and studying in Grade 7. She Joined Vimukti in 2012 in class I. Earlier, she was in a private school and her father could not afford the high fee so she was forced to drop out. One of her father’s cousins told him about Vimukti and that is how Neetu started schooling again. She lives in Jawahar Nagar slum. Her father is an auto driver and is not able to earn much. There are five family members consisting of Neetu, her parents and two elder brothers. Neetu’s mother is hearing and speech impaired - she doesn’t keep too well and a lot of money is spent on her medication. Neetu’s brothers haven’t studied much and do petty jobs in motor repair shops. Her father is disappointed with his sons and has high hopes from Neetu. He encourages her all the time to study hard, take up a job and contribute to the financial health of the family.

They have just one room in their house. There is no attached toilet and bathroom and have to use public facilities for the same. Till recently, Neetu had to daily fetch water daily from a far-off place for the entire family. Somehow, Neetu’s father saved money and got them a water pump. Earlier, her father was very short tempered, abusive and fought with her mother. Neetu started objecting to this and he now tries to control his temper. He does not fight with her mother any more.

Neetu wants to be financially independent so that she can help her parents. She wants to become an English Teacher.

Seeta Lal - Malik School

“I used to see elder children wearing school uniforms and carrying their backpacks and I always wanted to have a backpack of my own. My teachers and my friends never let me feel any different from them.” - Seeta

Seeta Laal, a resident of a remote village in the Khyber Pakhtoon Khuwa province is the eldest sister among 5 siblings. Her father, Pyaarey Laal, an herbal physician, had always wanted to provide the best for his daughters. In search for good education, he moved to Kohat and was happy to find a place for Seeta at the Malik School. The curriculum at this school is authorized by Oxford. The family had never imagined being able to receive private quality education with an elaborate English Language course.