"Nayantara" a Girl Child Sponsorship Programme

Sufia Khatoon* is a girl of around 16 years from remote Mahabatnagar village under Mathurapur II block in South 24 Parganas District of West Bengal, India. She is living with her parents, Paternal Uncle & Aunt, One cousin sister and Grandmother in a small concrete house with two small rooms built under Govt. Housing Scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Sufia studies in Class X at the local high school -‘Mahabatnagar Kailashpur Milan Siksha Sadan’.

Sufia’s father Sk. Sikander* lives away for livelihood as a daily wager. Her mother and aunt together look after the household core. With a meager amount of around INR 5000.00 that her father manages tie ran and also with her Uncle’s earning they sustain their family expenses with steep hardship.

Sufia joined the ‘Nayantara’ programme in the mid of 2017. Initially a timid and shy girl afraid of studying she is now consistently improving under the care and guidance provided through the programme. Earlier she was unwilling to attend classes and used to flee away from studies. She was very much afraid of the subjects taught specifically English and Mathematics.

Now by constant mobilisation efforts by Sabuj Sangha staffs of ‘Nayantara’ she is gradually improving in studies. She has now become regular in attending classes both in her school and at Nayantara Mahabatnagar Centre. Her interest and efforts to perform better has improved also.

She loves studying the subject Geography most. The information on the earth’s its creation, different countries all attracts her fascinatingly. She aspires to study higher education in this subject.

Sufia’s parents have high aspirations on her. They dreams to see her study intensely and be a successful person and self reliant at her own ability.

We are deeply idebted for your continued support to help Sufia and girls alike from deep remote villages of Sunderbans delta  in attaining their pursuit for being sucessful. 

* Name changed to protect identity of individuals

Mrinmoyee*- a girl from an economically backward family of Nandakumarpur village and a member of ‘Nayantara’ Programme passes Higher Secondary (12^th Standard Completion) Examination with good marks. This has created a niche itself and instance for other girls in the area.

Her family consists of 7 members- Two younger brothers, one younger sister, Parents and Grandmother. Mrinmoyee’s Father Mr. Nitai Mondal cultivates a little tract of land and also works as a daily wager. Her mother Mrs. Jamuna Mandal looks after the household chore and also works as domestic help in the vicinity. Earlier they used to earn a little more from coloring clay lamps. But it has been halted since last few months. Thus they could earn only around Rs. 3000.00.

About one and half years back their main residence was badly burnt in sudden fire. Though they have received a little Govt. Support it is not yet made built to many unavoidable reasons. Now they live in a small mud house with tiled roof.

Grown up seeing the struggle of elders in her family Mrinmoyee was determined to complete her studies since the very beginning. Though the grave financial steepness initially deeply affecting her studies. Mrinmoyee’s parents were unable to support her by affording Extra Tuition or provide study materials properly.

In such situation Mrinmoyee got involved with ‘Nayantara’ programme in 2017. Since then she had received all required support to complete her studies from the programme– extra Tuition Classes, Mentoring, Encouragements and all required Study Materials. This has contributed substantially to Minu’s achievements.

Mrinmoyee remained busy in Learning Computers during the period between Higher Secondary Examination and Result declaration. She is deeply determined personality to become successful in life. She has plans to get trained as an Auxiliary Nurse.

Mrinmoyee is looking forward to complete her Graduation with Honors either in Bengali or in Sanskrit. She has scored quite well in both the subjects. But Mrinmoyee’s Parents are afraid that they couldn’t afford her any more for studies due to financial limitations. They urged ‘Sabuj Sangha’ to support their daughter in her studies.

We are deeply thankful to all for supporting the noble initiative of ‘Nayantara’ which is thus creating significant impacts on the lives of girls in deep remote Sunderbans.  

*Names changed to protect the privacy and identity of the individuals