"Pink Bags" scholarships for young girls

Introduction to the Borse Rosa Project

Today, there are still 129 million girls worldwide who are unable to realize their dreams because they live in challenging circumstances. In many cases, families cannot afford to support their continued education, forcing these young women into early marriages and pregnancies. These situations strip them of the freedom to make choices about their futures.

In India’s Andhra Pradesh region, 29% of girls are married before the age of 18, and in Uganda, an alarming 7% are married before the age of 15. In these regions, education for girls is often undervalued, leaving them vulnerable to forced marriages and a lifetime of limited opportunities.

Since 2018, Mission Bambini with the Borse Rosa project has been addressing these issues by working alongside local partners to provide girls and young women with the opportunities they deserve—the chance to be free to become whoever they wish to be.

Below is a heartfelt letter written by T. Leelavathi, a 10th-grade student from Bollapalle, Andhra Pradesh, where the project operates. Her story reflects the resilience, hope, and strong bonds of friendship that can flourish even in the most difficult circumstances.

A Letter About Friendship by T. Leelavathi

My name is T. Leelavathi, and I am a 10th-grade student at ZPH School in Bollapalle village, Palnadu district. I live in the ASSIST study complex in Bollapalli and would like to share my thoughts about my best friend, Alivelu.

I feel incredibly fortunate and proud to have a friend like Alivelu. We met when we were just five years old, living in the same small neighborhood. Over time, our bond grew stronger. Although we have been in the same class since middle school, we are quite different. I am academically focused and quiet, while Alivelu is outgoing and passionate about sports.

What makes Alivelu truly special is her love for animals. This quality drew me to her even more. She is not only an animal lover but also a kind-hearted human being. She respects teachers, elders, parents, and everyone around her. Alivelu helps her parents and friends whenever they need support, and she has always been there for me, offering her hand whenever I needed someone to lean on.

I firmly believe that “a friend in need is a friend indeed,” and Alivelu has proved this time and time again. She is not just a friend but a source of strength and inspiration for me.

Our friendship blossomed as we complemented each other perfectly. While I focused on academics, Alivelu balanced our dynamic with her vibrant personality and different talents. We supported one another through the highs and lows of life, building a bond based on mutual respect and understanding.

Together, we made a great team—not just for schoolwork but in many other areas of life. Our differences became our biggest strengths, as they helped us balance each other and grow both as individuals and as friends.

I am grateful to have Alivelu as my friend. She is open-minded, supportive, and always encourages me to grow. Our friendship is a beautiful reminder of the power of strong connections formed during school, which can last a lifetime and lead to personal success in many areas of life.

I sincerely hope and pray that our friendship will endure forever.

Sincerely,
T. Leelavathi