In the villages of Hirapura and Harsukh Ka Pura, two young girls, Lilawati and Sombati, are rewriting their futures through education and support from self-help groups. Born into economically disadvantaged families, both girls once spent long hours weaving carpets, contributing to household incomes at the cost of their own growth and well-being. Their circumstances, however, began to change with the intervention of educational support centers and financial assistance from their mothers’ self-help groups.
Lilawati, a 15-year-old differently abled girl affected by polio, lives in Hirapura. Her father, Gajender Singh, pulls a rickshaw to provide for the family, while her mother, Sukh Devi, manages their home. Despite challenges, Lilawati has pursued her education at the government’s Junior High School in Dandaniya. She joined the educational support center in July 2011, where she dedicates over two hours each day to learning. With a Rs. 3,412 loan from Puja SHG, her mother ensured she received medical treatment. Now, Lilawati aspires to further her studies and work for the empowerment of differently abled individuals.
Similarly, 14-year-old Sombati from Harsukh Ka Pura had once spent five hours a day weaving carpets, which took a toll on her health. Her father, Amar Singh, works as a laborer, and her mother, Patri Devi, is a homemaker and member of Radhe-Radhe SHG since September 2011. After joining the educational support center, her health improved significantly, and she now has the opportunity to shape her own future.
These young girls’ journeys highlight the transformative impact of education and community support. By breaking free from child labor and pursuing learning, they embody resilience and hope, proving that every child deserves a chance to dream and achieve.