Give a girl a bike: help her to go to school

Dear Mann Deshi Supporters,

Swapnali is a student of Panchkoshi Vidyalaya studying in 9^th standard. She was born in a poor family. Her parents work as daily labours. Sometimes, even Swapnali has to go for labour work. They don’t own a land to farm by themselves neither they have a job. Hence, her parents grab every opportunity to do work of any kind. Their household expenses and children’s education is dependent on these earnings. Swapnali has two sisters who got married early due to their family conditions. So, it was not possible for her father to buy her a bicycle. That’s why Swapnali had to take 3 kms walk to reach school. Due to this time spent in daily commute, she was unable to find time for studying and ended up securing only 50% in her 7^th standard.

When Swapnali was in 8^th standard, she was gifted with a bicycle during Mann Deshi marketing mahotsav. As she saved much time in her commute due to the bicycle, she secured 65% in 8^th. She was able to go the school on time and save time for studying. Swapnali says, "Due to easy commute by cycle, I am able to attend extra classes in school. I can return home early and give time for studying after doing the household work. There are other girls in my school who also need this kind of help. I thank my school principal for recommending my name for this bicycle. This was not possible without the support of Mann Deshi and my school.”

Thank you so much for all our Supporters !!

Links:

• Her own voice: How rural women contribute to community radio - T