“I am always learning new things at the farm, but I want to learn more” – a synopsis of Anjali, a young girl from Atone village

It was just a usual day for HWCT, distributing education kits to the students of a school in Atone village, Maharashtra. After a long day when we were about to leave for Mumbai, a woman in her late 20s or early 30s came up to us saying, “Hi, I heard you help kids with education. I have a daughter who wants to study and work in a good company in Mumbai”. Though we have had heard similar things too many times now, the woman determination just gave us a different vibe.

On our way to her house, she told us a bit more about her family and their situation. She and her husband were farmers in Atone and grew delicious Ivy Gourd and Hyacinth beans. Their daughter Anjali had studied till class 5 and dropped out a year back when the fee increased to INR 400 per month. “My daughter is a good person from heart, she never thinks twice to help me and my husband at the farm. She is understanding and very considerate of our financial situations at a very young age,” said Surekha, Anjali’s mother. But just a few days back Anjali came to her parents saying “I am always learning new things at the farm, but I want to learn more. I want to go back to school and work as Anu chacha does”. Her chacha works at a restaurant in Mumbai as a waiter.

Team HWCT visited their house and counselled the girl. Anjali seemed to be a dedicated girl and was an above-average student at school. There was no doubt that given the opportunity, she would flourish in life the way she wanted.

Anjali is in her 8th standard now and just a few days back we received a call from her. “I have scored an 89% and I came 4th in class”, said Anjali joyously.

There is many more girls like her who deserve a chance to prove themselves, who deserve to choose what they want to become.

Story Credit: Simanti Bose