Kavita
How the power of storytelling started Kavita’s journey in self-confidence!
Till a few months before the Girl Rising India began its work in her village, Kavita remained skeptical of joining any adolescent group, or speaking to anyone other than her family. She shied away from expressing her opinions, and admittedly did not have the requisite confidence to speak in front of a group.
Now, one of the most vocal members of the adolescent group in Alwar, Kavita embarked on a journey when she joined a group that organized monthly meetings. As part of the group, adolescent members discussed issues such as child marriages, child labor, child rights, and benefits of education among several others. Learning from the facilitators, and her peers, she began, albeit still hesitantly, to express her thoughts. Routinely attending meetings of this group helped her overcome her fears, and inculcated confidence. Soon, Kavita was standing confidently in front of a bustling crowd of 3000 people with state education officers in attendance, who listened to her speech not knowing that she was terrified of public speaking. As a confident young adolescent girl today, Kavita calls for community members to support girls’ education fervently.
Like any other girl her age, Anjuman has dreams and hopes for her future. She wishes to become a pilot.
Unfortunately, she had to drop out from school in the fourth standard following her father’s demise. One day, a trainer on Girl Rising India’s project visited Anjuman’s home to explain the benefits of education to Anjuman’s mother and how it could help the family. Convinced, her mother enrolled Anjuman in school. However, Anjuman hadn’t been to school for the past four years and she would now need to resume her education from class 5 and would be visibly older than her classmates. Overcome by feelings of embarrassment, Anjuman felt uncertain of her decision to go back to school. But she had nothing to worry about – her friend, Afsana, held her hand and walked her to school on her first day. The feelings of shame and embarrassment soon disappeared once Anjuman was in back in a classroom and one step closer to fulfilling her dream!
Puvvada Sree Vera Venkata Sai
A young man from Vishakhapatnam shows how change starts with us!
Inspired by a training conducted by the Girl Rising team on gender-based violence, one of the students, Puvvada Sree Vera Venkata Sai, built a team of 150 members to lay the foundation of ‘Pavitram’ (Sacred), a group of college students who visit nearby schools to spread awareness about gender equality. The group follows a holistic approach wherein they sensitize teachers, students as well as parents. To incentivize parents’ participation from underprivileged communities, the team offers a popular India snack, samosa at their sessions. In the hope of making education accessible for girls from underserved communities, the team collects funds for their education and has joined hands with a local school to provide education at a subsidized rate. Puvvada’s story serves as an inspiration to everyone who is striving to build a more gender equal work, just as how he was spurred into action through GR’s stories!