Educate Destitute Girls in Kolkata, India

A new begining for our 5 girls whose education was supported by the organisation under the GlobalGiving project. Anam, Rehnuma, Selina, Amena and Mahjabin - All of them were selected to be a trainee in the prestigious Tajsats Air Catering Limited. Tajsats (a TATA Group Initiative) is the biggest air catering services in India and supplies food and beverages to almost all the airlines catering and also to the major food chains of Kolkata city. One girl photo is missing in the given picture. 

These girls are from the slum community and rarely do they get an opportunity to work in top class corporate sector. This opportunity is the new buzz in the community and many of our students who have completed their education wanted to join the Tajsats but due to limitation of seats currently, they have taken only 5 students. 

Without education, the company would not have taken the girls as a trainee but with the support of the generous donors these girls completed Class XII and some completed Graduation making the way to open new avenues in their life. One such opportunity and their dream to become a chef came closer when they were informed that they are selected as a Trainee in Tajsats. Many of them intiially did not understood or heard about Tajsats but on their first day they were simply amazed to see the size of the kitchen and the number of people employed. The people at the facilty work day and night as airlines industry never sleeps and the demand is always high. The girls dressed up as a Chef and started their training under the guidance of industries top class Chef. During the training they will get a stipend of Rs.6000 per month and the training will continue for 6 months. After the training is complete, a few of them will be employed in the facility as per their performance and efficiency. Rest can go and search for jobs as they are now a Tajsats Trainee certificate holder which has a high regard in the hospitality industry. 

Education has the power to change anybody's life. Those who donated for the education of these girls and many more like them have actually created a big difference in the society. Education can transform lives. These girls are the first generation learners and the first female in their families to go and start working which makes it a unique inspiring story. 

They are the first in their community to break the stereotype and will be the torch beaerer for their community. They have opened the doors for other girls. A door of opportunities where girls can also lead a dignified life and will get equal chance in employment. 

We are delighted to report that all our girls who sat their class XII board exams this year have passed.  

Zainab, Shaheen and Raj Laxmi have all now graduated from school and are looking forward to developing vocational skills so that they can support themselves, help their destitute families and of course make their own choices in life. With an education and the ability to earn a good income they have set themselves free from society's expectation that they should marry young and repeat the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and drudgery that their mothers and grandmothers before them have endured.

Read this report from Shreya, the programme leader, about Suhana - who joined our programme when she was just 4 years old. 

"Suhana is presently studying in Panchkuri Bangho Vidyalaya in class VI. Suhana lives with her mother Sonali in her grandmother’s house which measures about 70 sq-ft. They have to pay a rent of Rs 300 per month. Electricity charges are separate .Suhana families consist of three members which includes her grandmother and her mother.Her father deserted the family in the year 2010 and married another woman.Suhana’s mother went into a mental depression after coming to know about her husband’s treachery. Suhana  mother  works as a maid servant in two households their she earns Rs 3500 per month.  Over the years  she has recovered to a large extent. Her father does not support the family in anyway. All family expenses are borne by her mother but not enough to pay for her education Suhana education is continuing thanks to her sponsorship support. All her education expenses are taken care by the trust.Suhana she is good in studies her new session has start she went to in the afternoon after her school she takes tuition for her support.Suhana also help her mother for house hold work she is good girl  She wants to  be a  teacher after she completes her studies .The family is grateful for the support extended to Suhana by Tiljala SHED.They are hopeful that one day Suhana will be able to support the family financially and help them live a proper life free from tension. Suhana she is first generation learner."

We hope and expect Suhana to continue in education like Zainab, Shaheen and Raj Laxmi.   Your generosity is truly transforming lives.

Thank you.