"Nayantara" a Girl Child Sponsorship Programme

16 Years old Mala* from Mahabatnagar village (South 24 Parganas, West Bengal) studies in tenth standard at the nearby ‘Mahabatnagar Kailashpur Mission Siksha Sadan’. She is associated with ‘Nayantara’ programme since 2017. Steeped with financial adversity and uncertain living Mala is struggling to establish her identity with determination and hard work. Since she joined ‘Nayantara’ programme she learnt the value of self esteem and essentiality of being educated to establish it.

Mala stays with her family in a mud house with two isolated rooms thatched with plastic sheets and straw. The house is located at a lower elevation from the main village road. Thus they often face problems of mobility and waterborne diseases rising from water logging in rainy days.

Mala’s family comprises of six members, her parents, younger brother, younger sister, and grandmother.

Mala’s father Binoy, 40 years, runs a small eatery of evening snacks in the vicinity. They don’t have any land to cultivate. Binoy tries out little cultivation of seasonal vegetables and paddy by hiring small tracts of agricultural land. He being the only member of the family thus could sustain only a meager amount to carry on their expenses. On an average he earns around INR 3000 from the eatery-shop. Besides, the seasonal cropping also contributes to their yearly food grains. Binoy manages the additional expenses by borrowing money from money lenders at high interest rate. However as he says he manages to pay back within 4 months.

Mala’s mother Kamini (36 Years) and grandmother Sabita (70 Years) look after the household chore and work hard to sustain the family. Both of them also earn a very little amount seasonally by working as daily wage workers for post agricultural activity like boiling or breaking paddy after harvest.

Kamini recurrently falls ill of mental disease. Initially it was overlooked. Then at a severe condition she was taken to a local exorciser, locally called ‘Gunin’. Finally she was examined and diagnosed properly by a doctor around 6 months back. Since then she is under proper medication and now doing well.

Mother’s recurrent mental ailment deeply impacted Mala and her two younger siblings. However with recovery and proper addressal they are regaining their indomitable spirit to grow. Both of her younger siblings are in junior school at the local ‘Mahabatnagar Kailashpur Mission Siksha Sadan’ school.

Mala being the eldest daughter takes up the responsibility of household works, besides taking care of her mother during period of ailments. She also supports her father in running the eatery. Thus they are struggling with ill fate and consequences.

The consistent support from ‘Nayantara’ has boosted and continually supported Mala in her journey to a brighter future that she dreams always. The ailment of her mother touched Mala so deeply that she started aspiring to be a Medical Student which will heal all their pains.

*All names changed to protect identity of the individuals

The Nayantara programme was started in the year 2017. The girls of the both centres are associated with this programme from last year. They have crossed one academic year also. The current academic year is started from January 2018. During the six month period (From January to June 2018) the girls of the both centres have shown their progress in many areas. Thegirls of the twocentres have attended the coaching classes regularly. Their average attendance is about 90%. They have also attended the schools regularly.

Normally the students are afraid of Mathematics and English. During this period the coaching teachers have devoted additional time to give necessary coaching support on these subjects. Presently it has been observed that they began to love these subjects and spent more time to prepare the home work regularly.

 The girls of the area are normally shy in nature. They feel uncomforted to speak with unacquainted people. They could not look straight during conversation with others. But the situation of the girls is changing rapidly. During this period some grooming events have been conducted and all the girls have participated in those classes.   Now the shyness of the girls is disappearing gradually.

 Art and craft training classes have also created a good impact on the girls of Nayantara. In the art and crafts coaching classes the girls are making various clay ornaments and teracota materials. About 12 girls have shown their potential for making the beautiful materials. They have already sold some of the materials in an exhibition and the people comes from outside. They are also skilled for making various types of greetings cards.

 The classes on Bratachari and sports have been conducted once in a week for the both centres.   These classes help the girls physically and mentally strong. These classes are also helping them to remove their shyness and encourage them to perform on any stage. Some of them are now confidently performing on stage.

 The nutritional support has enhanced their nutritional status with proper nourishment; the health services are looking after the overall health aspect of the children and enhanced their health status so that chronic and other diseases should not be affecting them and they remain energetic; this will be reducing the absenteeism in the coaching center.