A ray of hope

What would the ideal goals of a young girl be? Finish school, get into a good college and thereafter get a good enough job. Seem normal enough. Not!! Welcome to the slums of Pune where finishing school is an achievement and college is a luxury.

While talking to a fieldworker I asked her how many students from the FWC Project are in college. "Just one, she replied." Me being the modern girl that I am, I was shocked that these children give up studying immediately after school -till she explained to me that most girls either get married or start work."But why?" I asked. "Why don't they see that they'd earn better if they study?"She looked at me and said, "You dont understand because you dont live in the slums.This is how it works."

I therefore, asked her about Sunita Mulkul, who has finished school and joined the A.B Atre Jr. College and is currently studying commerce. She was offered a few technical courses like joining a sewing class or a nursing course which would enable her to earn some money soon after graduating from school, but she opted for something a little more challenging and has done a three month basic computer course. This just goes to show, where there's a will, there's a way! Sunita had the courage to defy the system and study while most other girls her age are either married or working. Credit must be given to her family for supporting her decision. However inspite of their having reached so far, Sunita is unsure about her future. She is worried about the possibility of being married off and desperately hopes to complete her education before that happens.

In a place where there's barely any importance given to a decent college education, Sunita gives us some hope that maybe, just maybe the general thought towards education is changing and people are becoming more aware of the benefits offered by a college degree.
We wish Sunita good luck and success and hope she will be a shining example to younger children of this Program.

Cheryl C