“In the slum where I live, many parents are worried about their children’s education. Poverty and circumstances have forced us to always live from hand to mouth. Many girls could not study beyond class 8. My father is a tailor and the last two years, he did not have a job, owing to the pandemic. My mother, a housewife, had to work as a maid to make ends meet. Like many, I was also on the brink of dropping out from school. Had I not received the scholarship, it would have been almost impossible for me to continue with my education. I want to study science, pursue Biotechnology. And I want to help girls in my community complete their education.”

Debasmita is a recipient of Smile Foundation’s merit-based scholarship that is helping her continue her education.

“Some people say I am unlucky. My father went away when I was born, and later my mother died in an accident. But I think I am very lucky – because I got a second mother. Just when I felt I had been orphaned and had no one to love me, Maa brought me to my new home. She is my mother’s cousin sister. I got my own sister in her daughter Shobha. We have grown up together, go to the same school, and share everything with each other. Shobha’s father died five years ago. Since then, Maa has been working in the factory. There is never enough food at home, but whatever we eat, she always divides equally between me and Shobha. I do not remember much about my mother. But Maa makes sure we always take her name in prayer. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened to had I not met her.”

Lavanya and Shobha both study in Class 4 at Smile Foundation’s Mission Education centre in Hyderabad.

“My father used to sell vegetables, but during the pandemic everything closed down and he was at home. It came to a point where we would eat only once a day to save enough food for the next day.

The school was shut down too, and I was not sure if I would ever go back to my studies again. Then one day, Teacher Ji came to our home and explained that from now on they will organize classes in the village temple. Only 8-10 children would attend the class at one time and everyone had to wear masks.

I had been ready to give up at that time but that visit from my teacher and the cluster classes that started happening became my only hope. Now the school has opened again, my father too has resumed work. And I am working hard towards achieving my dreams.”

Neha, Student at Mission Education centre in Alwar, Rajasthan hopes of a better future amidst the odd circumstances.