A Little Girl: Rakhi

Rakhi, a 22-year-old from Bisora Village in Nuapada District, grew up in an environment where illiteracy and social stigmas were deeply rooted. Belonging to a poor family, Rakhi lost her father when she was just five years old. For the last four years, she has been caught in the web of social superstitions and calamities that stemmed from a lack of education. She was forced to drop out of school after class 9 due to financial constraints and the absence of parental support. Yet, Rakhi's heart always yearned for education. She realized the importance of learning and continuously dreamt of understanding the modern world and overcoming the social barriers that surrounded her.

The Role of Peer Groups and Financial Struggles :While growing up, Rakhi's peers became her motivation. She had many dreams of pursuing education with the help of her friends. However, her family's financial condition, exacerbated by her father's demise, was a major roadblock. Her widowed mother could barely manage to earn Rs. 20,000 annually, which wasn't enough to support Rakhi's education or even provide for two meals a day. Due to these hardships, Rakhi’s education seemed like a distant dream.

The Turning Point: When our team visited her home, we counseled her and her mother about the importance of education and its impact on personal and community development. Inspired by this, Rakhi saw a ray of hope. Through the support of PARDA and TCS, she got an opportunity to continue her education in a unique way. Our team selected her as a facilitator to teach adult literacy in Bisora Village. Despite her limited skills in computers and teaching, Rakhi began guiding villagers on their learning journey.

A Budding Teacher and Role Model :Within three months of the adult literacy program's first phase, Rakhi made a remarkable impact. Many adults in the village learned to read and write under her guidance. Her unique teaching style and dedication encouraged more people to enroll for the second session, which began on March 21, 2018.

Rakhi is deeply grateful to PARDA and TATA Trusts for providing her with an opportunity to prove herself. Her story is a testament to the power of education and the impact it can have when communities come together to support those in need. Today, Rakhi stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others, showing that determination and the right support can change lives.