Educational Sponsorship for 120 Children - India

Dear donors and supporters,
Wish you all a Merry Christmas.

You have been a great support for many children to continue their education. Rehana is one example how they make the most of it.
Rehana (name changed) is seventeen years old, active and studious girl. She is studying in 12th standard. She is under IDEA foundation’s sponsorship program from past five years. Her father, Mr. Jahangir is an auto rickshaw driver and mother, Ms. Mumtaj is a housewife. Being a rickshaw driver and the only breadwinner of the family, her father finds it difficult to meet both ends. Her brother, Salim and sister, Reshma are studying in 10th and 7th standard respectively. Her father is suffering from a detached shoulder bone. Doctor has advised him a surgery which is expensive and moreover requires six months rest which he cannot afford. His income will stop for six months. He is living with the pain by thinking of tomorrow’s bread and butter and educational expenses of the children. He has borrowed money from his friend to cover school fees of Rehana’s brother and sister.
Rehana’s neighborhood is full of alcoholics and they often use foul language. Rehana observes religious restrictions from her neighbors and relatives. Being a girl, Rehana also comes across social barriers specially in continuing her education. Relatives insist her parents to stop her education. ‘She can read. Isn’t that enough?’ They wonder. They also insist on religious activities like five times Namaj and reading religious notes. Rehana’s parents are liberal and supportive. They want to educate their children. Rehana’s father and mother got married at the age of 16 and 11 respectively. Her mother had 3 children by the time she was 15. She was carrying while studying in 7th standard. She wanted to continue studying after having a baby but her in laws did not let her to. She is still facing the adverse effects of child marriage, lack of education and lack of information about family planning. She believes in education and says that every girl should study well and stand on her own feet. Therefore she tells Rehana to focus on study instead of reading religious scriptures. Rehana’s parents thank IDEA for the support. They say, “IDEA takes care of educational needs of our children just like parents do. Social workers talk to us like a family friend and provide support exactly when we need it. Our children turn back to us and say IDEA is with us even if you don’t pay our fees!”
Rehana’s neighbors create obstacles in her studies by raising volumes of TV and home theatres. She finds it difficult to study in such environment so she starts studying either late night at 11 p.m. or goes to a crematorium where she finds peaceful environment for studying. She has overcome many such hurdles and become stronger. Her education continues while fighting against all the odds. She is a quiet and mature girl. She concentrates on studies with full dedication and also participates in most of the activities like art and craft, life skill sessions and exposure visits conducted by IDEA. Her confidence level and general knowledge has increased due to her participation in various activities. She is a stronger person today. She likes drawing and dancing. Her mother always supports her and acts friendly with her. Parents wish to educate her as much as she wants.
Her board exam is round the corner. Initially she was scared of studying in English medium. She feels better after sharing her difficulties with IDEA’s social worker. Her plan is to join BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) course after 12th.
We wish her all the best to succeed in her mission and thank all of you for reading this. Hope this New Year brings more happiness to all of us including Rehana. Wish you a very Happy New Year.