By Sri Radhika Dasi | Communications Manager
Many of you must wonder what the girls do after they finish school. Do they get married? The answer is no! In fact, in the past 5 years, 97% of our schoolgirls have opted for higher studies and 88% continue to finish their college education. Many girls take up jobs along with studies to begin supporting their families immediately. They are changing the way the society thinks about girls.
We are sharing with you the story of Laxmi-a 19-year-old girl that graduated in the year 2016. She had some learning difficulties as she was slightly dyslexic but her lack of abilities more than made up with her creative side. Today she is popularly known as "The Mehandi Designer” in all of Vrindavan because of her talent of making beautiful Henna Tattoos. Things were not always good for Laxmi. In an interview, she shared her heart with us and made us realize how important education, encouragement, and opportunity is for each girl.
Q: Tell me about your house & family?
Laxmi: In my family, I have my mother, an elder brother, a younger brother & a younger sister. We live in a rented room in Vrindavan.
Q: And your father?
Laxmi: (Hesitantly) When I was young, my father was not very supportive emotionally or financially. He had a drinking problem and there were quarrels in the house every day. The tension grew so much that one-day my mother had to leave the house along with all of us.
(Her eyes tearing up) We had to sleep in the street for many nights. After that, we rented in a slum nearby. My mother never went to school and was married at the age of 14. She did not know any work other than cleaning. She started working in the nearby houses to maintain the family. There were days when we slept hungry stomach; there were days when we stood in long lines of food distribution to get one proper meal. Those days were rough but things changed when someone told us about FFLV.
Q: Do you remember your first day at school?
Laxmi: I was seven when I first came to the school. I don’t recall much, but I still remember my first meal at the school, so satisfying!
Q: How did things change for you after FFLV?
Laxmi: All of us were suddenly in school, dressed neatly, getting a proper lunch. We started getting food rations and rent from the school too that helped us greatly.
Q: How did you get interested in art?
Laxmi: One day I just randomly made a card with some flowers on it to present to a teacher, and she appreciated it so much, she told everyone about it. I had never felt so special before. That greatly encouraged me and I started taking art seriously. I opted for embroidery classes in the school and got better at it each day.
One time, some schoolgirls told me that they were going to apply mehndi to some guests and I joined them. That was the first time I applied Mehandi.
Q: So how did that go?
Laxmi: Horrible! one woman told me that I was quite slow and not very neat in my work. I felt really sad, however, I did not give up, in fact, I started practicing so much that I was practicing Mehandi every minute I got, even during lunchtime.
Q: How did you become so popular?
Laxmi: It was all because of the encouragement from the school. Rupa Prabhu always introduced me to anyone who was interested in applying Mehandi. This encouraged me, helped me financially, & also gave exposure to my talent. He really believed in each one of us and that is what has always inspired me to do better.
Q: What was your proud moment?
Laxmi: I felt really proud when I recently bought a scooter with the money that I earned on my own and took my mother for a drive around Vrindavan.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
Laxmi: I want to be a renowned beautician. (Jokingly) Then buy a very long Car and a Big House for my mother. I just want to see her happy again!
Q: Any plans of Marriage?
Laxmi: I have no plans of marriage until I feel satisfied about my career.
Q: What message will you give to other girls in school?
Laxmi: We can do anything we want if we have an education. We should be very grateful to all these people trying to help us. Especially to our sponsors who are giving us this life changing opportunity & we must make the most of it.
Along with her business & college, Laxmi is currently teaching Mehandi art to other girls at Sandipani Muni School. She will soon be enrolling in a professional beautician course with the help of FFLV.
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