M Rajitha

M Rajitha, a student at the Rasoolpura Center, is a brave girl who has fought countless odds in her quest for a decent education. She says, “I studied till Class V at a Zilla Parishad school; but my attendance was very irregular, as I had to take care of my younger brother and sister. My father used to be a poor fish vendor; he is bedridden now, with kidney failure. My mother works as a housemaid, and I began to accompany her to work from the age of 10. I would wake up at 5 in the morning, clean utensils and do household chores and babysitting. My employers paid me a pittance and beat me often. I was very depressed at not being able to study. Luckily for me, Jyothi Ma’m (a Community Volunteer) visited our locality then, and advised my mother to let me resume

my education and help become literate. My mother readily agreed, and admitted me at this Center. With constant encouragement from my teachers, I attend my classes regularly. I now realise that education is the only tool with which I can improve the quality of my life.”

G Rajesh

The education we get here is as good as that in a good private school. We are given books, and this motivates us to keep us our studies. Now I think I can fulfil my father’s dream that I should be well educated. To supplement our family income, I still work and earn some money by filling water in an apartment complex every day morning. Then I come to the center to study, and then assist my mother at her work in the evening. It is tough, but I know there is going to be light at the end of the tunnel.”