Educate Her Empower Her

Dear GlobalGiving family,

We hope this message finds you well. Your generosity is helping girls from underserved communities move closer to a future shaped by their own choices and aspirations. With continued access to education, many are overcoming financial and social barriers, staying in school and pursuing opportunities they once thought were out of reach.

Through your support, iPartner India has facilitated 1417 scholarships, enabling girls to access education in both residential and non-residential schools. Beyond easing the financial burden on families, this support has encouraged parents to invest in their daughters' education and stand behind their aspirations.

In this update, we bring you the stories of two scholarship recipients. Their journeys reflect the progress they are making and the possibilities that your support is helping open up. We hope you enjoy reading their experiences and seeing the difference you are making.

Stories of Scholars-

Vinishika’s story:

Hello, GlobalGiving family. My name is Vinishika (name changed), and I am an 18-year-old student from a denotified community in Rajasthan. I am currently pursuing my second year of BA LL.B. at a prestigious law college in Jaipur. I completed Grade 12 with 78.2% marks and have successfully cleared all papers in my first-semester examinations. I am currently awaiting my second-semester results. Alongside my studies, I am gaining practical experience through an internship at a District Court, approximately 8 km from my home. I am the only girl in that court doing internship with a Senior Lawyer and I feel so empowered when I walk into the court. This is giving me valuable exposure to the legal profession, helping me understand the functioning of the judicial system and providing meaningful hands-on learning experience. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting and sewing.

I come from a family where my mother is the sole breadwinner. My mother had to enter sex work at a young age due to difficult family circumstances. Although she could not pursue her own education, she understood its importance and worked hard to ensure that I could attend school and pursue higher studies.

Continuing my college education became increasingly difficult due to my mother's recurring health problems and our family's financial constraints. At one point, I feared that I might have to discontinue my studies. I also faced pressure from people in my community and extended family members to enter sex work, as many girls and women are expected to follow this path rather than pursue higher education or alternative careers.

Through village Youth Group meetings, I connected with iPartner India and received scholarship support that helped me continue my education. My participation in the organisation's meetings has also strengthened my confidence and given me a sense of security about my future. Today, I remain committed to my studies and determined to build a future of my own, beyond the limitations imposed by my circumstances. One day I hope to break the cycle of intergenerational sexual exploitation, ensure that the next generation of my community is free from the sex trade, and fight for justice for the young girls who have been subjected to this exploitation.

Maya’s Story:

Hello, GlobalGiving family. My name is Maya (name changed), and I am a Grade 10 student at a prestigious university in Rajasthan. I secured 71% marks in my Grade 9 examinations and aspire to join the civil services by preparing for the UPSC examinations. I enjoy playing sports, particularly badminton.

I belong to a family of eight, comprising my parents, one brother and five sisters. My father runs a jaggery shop and is the sole earning member of our family. Some time ago, he met with an accident that resulted in fractures in his arms and legs. This affected his ability to work and placed considerable financial strain on our family, making it difficult to manage household expenses and support the education of all the children. Two of my aunts are engaged in sex work in Mumbai, reflecting the harsh realities and cycle of vulnerability that women in our family continue to face.

Despite these challenges, education remains an important hope for our family, offering the children a chance to build a better future and break this cycle of vulnerability. My eldest sister is pursuing her second year of B.Ed., while my other two sisters are studying in the second year of BSTC (Basic School Teaching Certificate) and Grade 11, respectively. With support from iPartner India, all three sisters have been able to continue their education. My youngest sister is currently studying in Grade 3.

With the support of a scholarship from iPartner India, I too got the opportunity to study at this prestigious institution. This assistance has helped me continue my education despite my family's financial difficulties and eased some of the burden on my parents. It has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and move closer to my dream of joining the civil services.

As these girls celebrate Diwali in India, we seek your continued support for their education, so that their futures may shine as brightly as the lamps that illuminate homes during Diwali.

Thank you for standing alongside them, supporting their aspirations and helping create opportunities for a future filled with greater choices and possibilities. We truly value your continued partnership in this journey.

With Deep Gratitude

Team, iPartner India