Total Education Solution for Vulnerable students

TOTAL EDUCATION SOLUTION FOR SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY VULNERABLE STUDENTS - PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

The Indian education scenario is undergoing lot of transformation in the last decade. While the Right to Education Act (RTE) introduced by the Government has yet to make its mark, we have embarked upon our mission to “Make the Right to Education Real” for the socio-economically vulnerable students. Though accessibility and enrolment in the elementary education are non-issues due to the efforts of Government, NGOs, bilateral agencies etc, the High School education scenario is plagued with a plethora of problems related to quality and equity. This results in the most unpleasant reality which is  high dropout ratio of children at the High School stage. Our programmes HeadStart & Ten Plus address these issue and offer choice of school/institution along with the financial commitment for complete education to the parents of students from the vulnerable communities and ensure continuity in their education.

The programmes strive to reach the most vulnerable groups like children rehabilitated from Child Labour, orphans, with single parent, disabled etc. - from dire socio economic conditions. These students enrol into our programmes at the High School level and will be with us till they find a rewarding livelihood opportunity in a field of their choice after their graduation from college.

We present here some of the stories of our students whose journey towards success has been made possible by you!!

OUR YOUNG ACHIEVERS

Eyes twinkling with excitement and proud smiles across their faces, they shyly displayed their awards. Hanumantha S and Lingaraju L, our TenPlus students, were awarded the Kannada Madhyama Prashasthi, by the Karnataka State Government, for securing the highest marks in SSLC (Grade 10) at the taluk level. This award is given to exceptional students from Kannada medium schools. Lingaraju stood first, while Hanumantha was a close second.

Their association with Dream School Foundation goes way back to their seventh standard, when they were inducted into the DSF HeadStart programme. Now pursuing their first year Pre-University from MES P.U College, these ex-students of Bapu High School have known each other since school. Though competitors, as they posed for the photos, their camaraderie was clearly visible. 'There was always a healthy competition between the two, as one tried to outscore the other', says Mrs. Bhagya, a teacher at DSF. 

Enthusiastic and lively, Hanumantha, has a strong penchant for learning. Coming from a family where his father is a labourer and mother a house maid, he was faced with many challenges in pursuing his schooling. His curiosity and keen desire to study were evident right from when he was in middle school.  ‘He would insist on being a part of the classes conducted for the seventh standard, even though he was still studying in the fifth. Numerous attempts to convince him that the classes were more advanced were futile.  He would stand by the door and observe everything that was taught. After a few days, he took me by surprise, when he started answering questions which even the seventh standard students couldn't!’, fondly recalls Mrs. Bhagya. Ask him his goal and he quickly replies, ‘I want to become an engineer!’

From a similar background, Lingaraju belongs to a family of five. His father is a labourer and mother works as a house maid. Diligent and focused, Lingaraju, is a good example of an ideal student.  ‘His dedication towards studies was evident, as he unfailingly attended classes every day, even though he had to travel quite a distance’, Mrs. Bhagya says. 'Quiet in the class, he absorbs everything and is much disciplined’, she adds. On being questioned about his future goal, ‘I want to become an engineer’, he says with a smile.

Your support has enabled the education of many like Lingaraju & Hanumantha and set them onto a path to success! 

EVER-SMILING GITA!

Gita has been associated with DSF since her eighth standard as a student under the HeadStart programme. A bright young girl, Gita is studying Commerce at the second year pre-university level. She lives with her mother and three brothers in a very small house in one of the slums of the affluent city of Bangalore! Her father passed away a year ago after a prolonged illness and her mother has been toiling single-handed to make ends meet and educate the children.

In a single room house with four children and space crunch, studying is a challenge and inadequate lighting makes its harder. She is undeterred by this situation. The fire in her eyes to study and urge to achieve something, is undiminished by this plight.

Hard working and focused, Gita is not only regular to her classes but also lends a hand at supplementing the household income with her mother, who works as a house maid. “Even when she is unwell she never misses her classes”, says her mother “And on days when she is late from college, she doesn’t stop to have lunch and directly heads to her class at the DSF center”.

A conversation with Gita immediately reveals her maturity beyond her age. Well mannered and well liked, Gita enjoys talking to people and making friends. A quick learner, she constantly works towards expanding her knowledge and aspires to become a Chartered Accountant. Her lively and ever smiling countenance never betrays the challenges faced by her. To all who meet her, this girl with grit, comes across as any other teenager interested in acting, playing, dressing well & looking good. Her dream is to enable a comfortable life for her mother devoid of all hardships that she has faced till now and support the education of her brothers.

Thanks to the support from all of you, we are able to work towards making her dreams a reality and ensure a bright and stable future for Gita and her family.

Today at DSF, we support over 700 students like Gita, Lingaraju & Hanumantha. Their future lies in our hands, in your hands!

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