From Child Labour to College: Support Her Future

Asha, an 11-year-old girl from the remote and drought-prone village of Vadzari, lives with her parents and younger brother. Her mother and father work as daily-wage laborers, doing their best to manage the household. Asha studies in Grade 6 at the local Z.P. School.

In the beginning, Asha was extremely shy and withdrawn. She rarely spoke to other girls, avoided group activities and preferred to keep to herself. Her lack of confidence kept her from participating in school or community programmes and she remained isolated both socially and emotionally.

This began to change when Karuna introduced the Girls Together group in the village and encouraged her to join. Through the club, Asha was exposed to leadership sessions, project work on issues affecting girls and training in performing street plays, which is one of the most effective ways to spread awareness in India. She also received basic computer training. With consistent encouragement from staff, Asha slowly started taking part in activities, interacting with other girls, and exploring her own abilities.

Asha’s mother, much like her daughter, was also shy and initially hesitant to support Asha’s participation in school or group programs. Karuna motivated her to join a Self-Help Group and a parents’ group, where she learned more about the importance of girls’ education. Gradually, she began supporting Asha’s learning, helping with homework, attending school meetings, and encouraging her to try new things.

Today, Asha is a confident and active participant in school and community life. Her girls’ group created a street play on the issue of child marriage, performing it in their school, their village, and eventually at a Women’s Day programme in Sangamner, in front of more than 500 people! Their performance received a prize and widespread appreciation throughout the community.

Asha is not only active in extracurricular activities but is also performing well academically. Mathematics has become her favorite subject. After attending computer classes, she now uses basic computer programmes with confidence. Her teachers describe her as enthusiastic and engaged. She even appeared for the Maharashtra Government Scholarship Examination—and passed!

Thanks to the support of people like you, Karuna has been able to empower rural girls like Asha, helping them discover their potential and bringing new hope into their lives.