Vijaya Kumari, 33, is a recent graduate of our
Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). As a mother of three and having only had the
opportunity to study until 8th Standard, we sat down with ‘Viji’ to
understand some of the story which led her to enroll.
Viji’s journey with Reality began when her
daughter saw a pamphlet (distributed by Reality staff amongst the communities
we serve in Dharavi). Her daughter convinced her to enroll, telling her it would
help children with their homework (all attend schools where the curricula are
taught in English) and give her confidence in communicating with all kinds of
people. She tells us, “education is the most important. My children
want to be educated; they have dreams. For them to complete their dreams, that's
why I work hard for them”.
Over the 15 weeks Viji
flourished. Picking up new concepts and ideas quickly,
“I liked the teachers
who were very friendly” she shares, “they made me feel as a family with the
other students. It is a new life, I made new friends, and I got a new chance
here”.
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“YEP has been helpful in both my personal and
professional life” Viji continues, “I want to be a fashion designer. [Since
graduating] I got the chance to study in a college that specialises in
tailoring and fashion designing. The YEP was helpful in that I was more
confident and English was useful to get admission”.
Confidently looking ahead to the future, Viji
informs us that “after one year in college, my ambition will be completed -
I’ll be a fashion designer”.
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