Educate Destitute Girls in Kolkata, India

Aliza’s Hope: An Education That Can Change a Life

Aliza, a 15-year-old student studying in Class IX at Model Collegiate School, is a sincere, determined and hardworking young girl who continues to pursue her education despite facing significant financial and personal challenges. Her journey is one of resilience, and the educational support she has received has helped her remain in school and continue working towards her dreams.

Aliza has been raised by her mother, Rahat, since birth. Shortly after Aliza was born, her father abandoned both mother and child, leaving them without support from his family. During this difficult period, Aliza and her mother received emotional and financial support from her maternal family, which helped them cope with the hardships they faced.

For several years, Rahat worked as an assistant physiotherapist to provide for her daughter. However, ongoing health problems eventually prevented her from continuing her work, leaving the family without its primary source of income. Aliza and her mother now live with their maternal family, whose continued support remains essential to their wellbeing. With limited financial resources available, meeting Aliza's educational expenses has become increasingly difficult.

Aliza's education costs approximately 700 (about US$7.33) per month in school fees, along with approximately 1,000 (about US$10.47) for tuition and other educational expenses. For a family already struggling financially, these costs can be a significant burden. For the past three to four years, Aliza has therefore been receiving educational sponsorship through Tiljala SHED. Shanty Trust's support has brought great relief and happiness to Aliza and her mother, helping ensure that financial difficulties do not force Aliza to give up her education.

The sponsorship has helped reduce the family's educational burden and allowed Aliza to continue attending school with greater confidence and concentration. More importantly, it has given Aliza and her mother renewed hope that her education can continue despite the family's difficult circumstances. For a young girl who has experienced considerable uncertainty in her life, having someone believe in her education is a powerful source of encouragement.

Aliza dreams of completing her education and becoming financially independent so that she can support her mother, who has made many sacrifices for her. She aspires to become a teacher, particularly so that she can educate and support children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She wants to help poor and vulnerable people and contribute positively to society. One of her deepest wishes is to provide her mother with a secure and comfortable life and, one day, have a home of their own where they can live safely and with dignity.

Aliza's journey shows why educational support matters. When a child is given the opportunity to remain in school despite financial hardship, that support can reach far beyond the classroom—it can create hope, confidence and the possibility of a different future. With continued support, Aliza has the determination and potential to achieve her dreams, support her mother and one day become a source of hope for other children like herself.