From Child Labour to College: Support Her Future

Rani belongs to a very poor family. Her parents make just enough money to feed the family of 5 by making and selling brooms.

Rani herself excels in her studies.  Her school is 10 km away from where she lives and so she must take the bus daily. Her parents were somehow able to pay 10 rupees for the bus each day. However, Rani would still have to spend 2 to 3 hours each day waiting for buses, as they are not scheduled or regular. Often Rani would arrive at school late, and was even once late for her exams. She would become frustrated as it was beyond her control, and yet the teachers would regularly punish her for being late.  

Rani was understandably upset, as she knew how difficult it was for her parents to pay for the bus in the first place. Considering this, she decided to leave school.

NISD’s Reading Improvement Class teacher came to know of Rani’s plans to drop out. He visited her family and stressed the importance of her continuing her schooling. He then met with the school teachers to discuss Rani’s situation, and it was decided the Rani needed a bicycle. This was discussed with NISD’s social workers who sent the case to the head office.

Some money was put aside to buy Rani a bicycle. She now attends school regularly and on-time. She now has more time for her studies.

Rani recently sat her 8^th Standard examination, is hopes to complete her education. Her parents remain very supportive in this regard.

Thank you for allowing the various ‘Child Development’ activities to continue, through which Rani’s situation was noticed and she was helped. Instead of dropping out of school, she will now complete her education and be in a much better position to escape poverty. 

Swati Vilas Gaikawad is 13 years old.

Her parents are wage laborers, and the family of 5 live in dire poverty in Karule, Sangamner. Swati was born blind. Up to 3rd standard, she was attending a School for Blind Children in the neighboring town of Shrirampur. However, problems at that school meant that they could no longer support Swati. Upset, she had to return to the small drought-prone village of Karule, which has almost no facilities. She would spend her days sitting at home with nothing to do and nothing to stimulate her.

Her mother, realizing that something needed to be done, began leaving her in the NISD run pre-school center while they worked, in the hope that she would at least be able to play and pass her time.The Reading Improvement Teacher (RIP) spoke to Swati about her situation, and decided to take action. She collected all the information available on Swati, and met with Local Government school teachers. The problem was discussed in a Village Education Committee (VEC) meeting.There were members of the committee who had attended NISD's Child Right trainings and appreciated education was a right for all children. Thus the VEC insisted that educational facilities appropriate for Swati should be available in the village.

The case was taken to the Education Officer, and further action was taken by the VEC and NISD project staff. Finally, a Government teacher with the necessary skills was assigned to the village, under the Government's 'Education for All' initiative. Swati is now enrolled in the 4th standard, with braille books and other educational materials provided, and a teacher to guide her. The VEC and Child Parliament members also registered her for a Government scheme for visually handicapped children.

Swati is very intelligence child.  Seeing her willingness to learn, she has also joined the RIP.  She greatly enjoys all the new stories she is learning, and is always ready to answer questions about them.  Swati is now enrolled in education, and spending her time meaningfully.

Thanks to all who have donated for supporting the various child development programmes that helped us to bring hope to Swati's future.