Help 1,000 children Learn not Earn

Venkat, a 16-year-old boy from a small village in Andhra Pradesh, was the only child of daily wage labourers. He travelled 6 km each day on his bicycle to attend the local government high school in Machilipatnam. As he entered 10th grade, the CRY UK project team initiated focused interventions to help him prepare for his public exams. Venkat was confident, but to everyone's surprise, he failed in two subjects - Mathematics and Science, by just a few marks. He attempted supplementary exams but failed again. Disheartened, he lost interest in his studies and eventually became a seasonal child labourer.

Seeing Venkat's potential fade away, the project team were determined to not give up. They engaged in conversations with his parents, explaining that failure in exams should not define Venkat's future. Through persistent, empathetic discussions, they helped his parents realize the importance of education over short-term income from labour. The team supported Venkat in enrolling in a free tuition program led by older students and offered him emotional and moral support.

With renewed confidence, Venkat appeared for the supplementary exams once more and passed with flying colours, scoring a total of 356 marks. This success reignited his dreams, and he enrolled in the Intermediate MEC (Maths, Economics, and Commerce) group at a private school, with financial support from the government.

Now, Venkat attends college regularly, aspiring to become a police officer. He feels grateful for the unwavering support that has turned his failure into a promising future, and his parents are proud of his ambition.

Your support can transform the lives of children like Venkat, giving them hope and a chance for a brighter future.