By Mary Julie | Programs Director
Getting top grades is every parent desire of a child and this desire is not differentiated by the economic status of the family. The families, who are poor, want to send their children to schools where fees are beyond their means for the sake of boys. But in the case of Soundharya her life journey takes a different turn after some challenging events.
Soundharya, 16 years is the second child of a widowed mother who is affected by chronic health condition. Their family was happy, a family of three girls until her father became bed ridden and passed away when she was six years old.
After her father's death, they had to move to their mother's hometown and schooling was changed. Having enjoyed the education in private English medium school, Soundharya and her siblings found it very difficult to adjust back to the government school. Everyday was a struggle as Soundharya's mother could not find a good job and had to support her siblings and her grandmother (father's mother). In addition to the financial stress, Soundharya's mother widowed status and the illness was further caused their relatives to force and get her and her older sister married early. Her mother was strong against the decision that caused a strained relationship among their relatives. Later her mother also took another courageous step to place all the three girls in the private English medium school which caused greater resistance from her own mother too.
The courageous step taken by her mother encouraged Soundharya to put hard efforts in her studies and bring a good name for her among their relatives.
Though learnt in Tamil medium school till 7th standard, within a span of two years, Soundharya was able to learn all the subjects in English medium and also stand among the top rankers. In the recently published 10th public results she has been able to score 481/500. On asking what had motivated her, she expressed "My mother's sacrifice!"
Soundharya is equally committed to serve other children like her at Buds of Christ. At Buds N Colors summer camp, she is an active volunteer and taught younger orphan children in craft and drawings.
We thank all the donors at Global Giving and well-wishers of Buds of Christ who are making sacrificial contributions for education of children in shaping their future.
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