Empower girls like Priti in slums in Pune, India

“I am Varsha. I’m studying in 8th standard. In my home, I have four younger brothers, my father collects rubbish for a living and in total we’re seven family members. Since I am the elder one in the house, the responsibilities of the house are on my shoulders. Cleaning the utensils, sweeping the house, cooking meals, washing clothes, taking care of my younger brothers, etc are my responsibilities. Along with these, I also have to study. 

Since we don’t have much money, we don’t have gas at home. We can’t get kerosene so I have to cook on a ‘chul’ (earthen stove with open fire used for cooking). My father buys rice and dal ingredients every day. My mother is always ill. She is anemic and also my younger brother is very small, so she breastfeeds him, so become weaker. This is why I do the housework.

I have to finish my responsibilities and then I attend school classes. I like the classes where they also show stories. I like be with my friends and not be too long in my house. In the house, I am very busy but in class, I can chat with my friends and we have jokes and fun. I enjoy class with fewer girls in the group, which has happened since the COVID-19 situation.

I have ambitions of becoming a teacher, to earn money and to help my family. However,  my father is thinking of my marriage. He has decided on my marriage to his friend’s son. I am aware of the problems of child marriages and in the past I participated in rally by the project against child marriage, so I know this is against law. I get strength from my girls’ group of the project to fight at home for my right to education. 

I want to stop my marriage. My grandmother came to us to marry me off.  She said to me that in the pandemic we don’t need as much money for the wedding so this is a good opportunity for me to get married. I discussed my wish with my parents to continue my education and explained I’m not willing to marry, stating that it is against the law. They are convinced. I am especially thankful to the ‘tai’ (elder sister) from the project for helping my friends and me to solve this situation. 

I am feeling relaxed now and I can concentrate on my study.

“We, ourselves, should speak up if anyone is trying to stop our education, even if it’s our own family.”

Your support helps Varsha and her friends to continue their education and to prevent child marriage. Thank you.