From Child Labour to College: Support Her Future

Meet Aahana. She is a thirteen year old girl living in the small community of Shirapur village.

Aahana has three sisters and one brother. They live with their mother and father in a small rented house up in the hills. Her parents are unable to own land so they work hard as day labourers, which provides an unpredictable source of income earning only a small wage. But they try their best. Unfortunately, education is often the first thing that is sacrificed, particularly for girls like Aahana who are expected to help around the house and look after their siblings. Living in poverty is an overwhelming stress on people’s lives. Aahana’s father struggles with alcohol abuse, spending income on his addiction and placing the burden on Aahana’s mother, who worries about how to feed her family and provide education for their children.

Our partner’s team makes sure to check in with families in the local areas, particularly those who are marginalised. They identified Aahana and wanted to support her in her educational journey. What is unique about our partner’s project is that it is not just about enrolling girls in school but keeping them there. This began with speaking to her parents and the school to ensure that both parents and teachers were supportive of Aahana.

NISD provided educational materials to Aahana, including a much needed school bag, compass box, writing pad and six notebooks, everything her family could not afford. Aahana is very happy to have received all the educational materials she needs. Her mother also expressed how relieved she feels that someone is there to support her family and her daughters’ education.

Gone are the days when Aahana missed school to stay at home and help. She now attends school regularly and can fully concentrate on her studies without the worry of home life.

In a recent examination she earned an A grade. Math is her favourite subject. She also participates in different after school activities and has even learned how to deliver a speech to her peers.

Aahana and her mother thank you for being committed to girls who without this support might not be heard or supported. With personalised support Aahana is more than a school dropout statistic, she is a person with a future worth fighting for. One girl at a time your support is making the world a better place.

Fourteen-year-old Asha lives in a remote hamlet nestled in the hills of Nashik, India, about 3–4 kilometres from her school. She is in Year 9 and dreams of completing her education. But for Asha, even getting to school was an uphill struggle.

Her family has very little, just half an acre of unirrigated land. Her father is unable to work due to a leg injury, and the responsibility of the household rests entirely on her mother, who works as a daily wage labourer to care for her husband and three children.

Each morning, Asha walked 3 km to school and 3 km back… rain or shine. The long distance left her exhausted, often late, and struggling to focus in class. Many of her friends had bicycles, but her family simply couldn’t afford one. Asha began to withdraw, speaking very little at home and isolating herself from other girls. Her parents, while deeply concerned, felt powerless.

That’s when NISD’s community worker stepped in. After meeting Asha and her family, and speaking to her teacher and school principal, it became clear: she was bright and capable, but the burden of her journey was holding her back. She was missing school more often, unable to engage in learning, and had stopped participating in school activities altogether.

Thanks to your support through Karuna, Asha received a brand new bicycle

and everything changed.

Now, she cycles to school each day with ease. The time and energy she saves is channelled into her studies, helping her younger siblings, and reconnecting with her friends. Her confidence has returned. Her teachers report she’s more regular, engaged and actively participating in school life once again.

Her parents are incredibly grateful. “We couldn’t have done this for her. Thank you for supporting our daughter when we could not,” her mother told us.

This is just one of many small transformations made possible by your generosity.

Thank you for helping put a smile on Asha’s face and making her journey to education just a little bit easier.