Prevent Child Marriage, Educate 270 Girls in India

From a small tree, a mighty trunk may grow- Aeschylus

We take pride to share this story with you of a girl who joined us when she was but a little bud. Over the years she grew in the courtyard of our school. Little did we realize that this flower would blossom so beautifully…

“Being terrified but going ahead and doing what must be done—that's courage"

Neetu stated this very well in the incident below.

Neetu (16 yrs) was returning home in the evening, from her food distribution service at school. She was riding her bicycle when she noticed that a young lady (who was an expat) was being followed and harassed by an auto rickshaw driver. The road was lonely and suddenly the man pulled that lady into his vehicle and rode off. The lady was panicking and asking the man to stop and let her get down. Neetu could just not stand there and watch. Seeing no one around to turn to, she followed that rickshaw on her bicycle and saw that the rickshaw had pulled over at a very lonely place. Neetu didn’t wait for anything; she picked up a big stick and struck the driver from behind. The driver shocked and in pain, hurled abuses at her, but Neetu didn’t care. She took the lady by her hand and asked her to sit behind her on her bicycle and off she went. 

She dropped the lady in a safer area. Teary eyed and grateful, that lady offered Neetu her silver bangles as a token of appreciation, but she refused. The whole situation was so overwhelming that no names were exchanged. It was a gesture of care from one girl to another. 

The next day she shared this incident with her friends and teachers. We informed the principals who awarded her for her bravery in front of the whole school. She shared the incident with other girls who felt really inspired hearing this. 

Neetu made us so proud and we thought of sharing this incident with you all who are contributing towards the education and grooming of many these Neetus in our school.

About Neetu and her family:

In her family, her father was born in Agra and is currently an unemployed carpenter. Her mother was born near Kolkata, West Bengal. They moved to Vrindavan where her mother joined Food for Life Vrindavan as a cleaner.

Her older sister Poonam, who graduated from Sandipani Muni School last year in 2015, is now in college. 

Neetu has an outgoing personality and is known for her great sense of humor amongst her friends. During evenings she attends the free meal distribution where she helps in serving the street kids. She is a very good dancer and actively participates in stage plays and dance programs. 

Links:

• Who are we?