Educational Sponsorship for 120 Children - India

Dear friends ,

Thank you so much for supporting this project. We are here again with the story of Rohini who is facing many hurdles in life but determined to face any life situation boldly with a smiling face .Her story is also a testimonial on how timely help from YOU is making a huge difference in poor children’s life.  

ROHINI’S STORY   

18 year old Rohini visited IDEA office to meet her social worker. I interacted with her as a new member of the IDEA Team – Manager ,Resource Mobilisation . She remembered her family’s difficult times with tears in her eyes . 

When IDEA enrolled Rohini under the sponsorship programme in 2008 , she just completed her primary school. Her mother was very much worried about her two daughters’ education and other family expenses. Rohini’s father who is an alcoholic was not only not contributing towards the family expenses but was also forcefully taking whatever little savings the mother used to keep at home from her job as a part time maid servant. Immediately after a request from the mother for support and a verification visit to their house by our social worker, sponsorship aid was granted to Rohini much to the relief of the mother and daughters . 

The family was undergoing many hurdles one after the other during the past years. Rohini’s mother who was the sole bread winner fell ill and her father met with an accident. The house they were staying was in a dilapidated condition which required immediate repairs . The family took a bank loan and the mother took another loan from a women’s Self Help Group . The family was struggling to meet their daily expenses and Rohini’s elder sister Roshini started working as a sales girl but eventually she left college to undertake a full time job . There were frequent quarrels between the parents due to the father’s irresponsible attitude and extensive drinking.      

However the family properly utilized the sponsorship assistance to meet educational expenses of Rohini . Co-curricular activities helped Rohini to develop the hidden talents in her , career guidance sessions gave her a direction to select a proper vocation . Rohini could pursue her hobbies including running, Kho-kho ( an Indian Group game )  and singing. She is also very good at singing.

After completing Higher Secondary education in flying colors (she secured 74% marks, stood first in her class ) , Rohini started pursuing bachelor degree in computer application (BCA). In first semester of BCA she secured 72%. She likes the subject ‘modern operating system’ and scored 91% in it.  She has to study two more years to complete her BCA. After completing BCA, she is planning to take up a job.  She is also interested in doing her Masters (MCA)  in future. 

During the toughest period of the family , Rohini  was  working as a  teacher in IDEA  study centre  in her community for some time to minimize the burden on her mother and sister . But she left it when college exams approached . Now in India Summer vacations have started and Rohini make use of it by working at a clinic near her home. Roshni , the sister  is getting married soon so Rohini is determined to support her mother by continuing her part time job along with her studies .

 While narrating her story, Rohini was smiling all the time . The hardships in her life has molded into an understanding and capable human being . 

I realized that Rohini is a real gem shining from heaps of family crisis ! I wished her the very best in life and extended IDEA’s support to her and her family .  

An Appeal

We appreciate YOU for supporting IDEA to help many marginalized girls through this project . We are planning to reach out to many more girls in drought affected and remote locations in Maharashtra as well as in Pune city. We are seeking your continuous support for this expansion plan .