Get 10 000 children out of labour and into school

Isn’t starting a new school challenging enough for any child? New teachers, new classmates, and in many cases, a whole new school in a different part of town.  

What must it be like then when your family are nomadic with no set place to call home, then it’s time for you to start a new school miles away from where you’re currently living? 

This is the case for 11-year-old Sushila. Dad has irregular work harvesting coconuts from high in the trees.  

Mom, likewise, looks for work in the fields. Sushila’s school is 5km away. It could be worse, but with no means of travel other than by foot, the arduous journey is taking its toll on young Sushila. 

Sushila has been engaged with the project for several years. Now though, right next to her new school, there are new activities for her to engage in.  

There’s the Girls’ Club, for example. Here she can attend educational programs on menstrual hygiene, leadership or even self-defence! 

But Sushila has been engaging in none of this. Instead, straight after school, she sets off on foot, to get home – far too exhausted to engage in anything with her peers. 

Thankfully, the project that you help fund is on the case! They’ve clocked the issue and provided Sushila with a bicycle. Now we’re rolling! 

Time saved; energy saved; Girls’ Club attended; homework done! 

What'smore, speedy Sushila has come to the attention of her new teachers. The Girls’ Group is growing her confidence, she’s more alert in class and her homework is timely! 

Thanks to your generous donations, this project’s cycle bank has provided more than 250 bicycles to help young girls living in rural and nomadic communities to get to school and excel in life.  

Priyanka, 14, is a tribal girl who lives in Mahalwadi village. She is in 8th grade and studies at a local high school. She lives with her parents and elder brother, who are daily-wage farmers and labourers. They have a small piece of barren land and often work as sugar cane cutters or on other people’s fields to make ends meet.

 Priyanka had to walk 4 kilometres each way to reach her school, which took her more than an hour and a half. She was exhausted by the time she got home and had no energy to do her homework or study. Her academic performance suffered, and her teachers were not happy with her.

She often asked her father to buy her a bicycle, but he could not afford it. She slowly lost interest in school and education, as it was too difficult.

Priyanka heard of the Girls Together Group in Mahalwadi village, where she learned about her rights, and the importance of education. There, she connected with their social worker who visited her home and saw how hard it was for Priyanka to go to school every day. She decided to help Priyanka by providing her with a bicycle.

She now goes to school regularly and easily. She saves time and energy, which she uses for her studies. Her performance has improved, and her teachers are pleased with her. She also participates in many activities and programmes organised by NISD at the village and block levels. Priyanka is more confident and determined to complete her 10th grade and pursue higher education.

She and her parents are grateful to Karuna Trust and NISD for giving Priyanka a bicycle and a chance to fulfil her potential.

Thank you!

Links:

• Link to our website to find out more and see our projects!