Changing lives - one child at a time.....

One of the most visible ways that One Child has been improving lives of children has been through giving scholarships to needy children. Usually from the most disadvantaged families, these children (usually muslim girls, who are sheltered from education) have typically shown considerable determination to improve themselves and a few pounds a month, or even a year, can secure their ability to continue their education. The candidates are always chosen by the teachers in full consultation with their families and community leaders.

Here are some profiles of children who have benefited from One Child's support and One Child scholarships:

Sarifa makes her parents proud

Sarifa is one of four children of Kashem Seik and Taslima Khatun of Ajagarpara. Taslima is beedi worker and Kashem works as a mason, both being illiterate. Sarifa had never been school as this was not felt important by her parents. But in 2003 when Ananda Pathshala was started by One Child in the village to motivate and help prepare out-of school children for induction into formal school, Sarifa joined the center after her parents were convinced. She was a slow learner and hardly spoke to other children. But gradually she learnt the alphabets/figures, small poems and was admitted to the local primary school in 2004. Today she is in class III. She regularly attends the primary school as well as the sessions at Annada pathshala. Her progress is strong in primary school where she achieved Grades B during the last two annual examinations. She has participated and won prizes during the annual Sports Day organized in the village by One Child. She likes singing and dancing. She performed very well in the drama presented by the children during village level celebration of Children's Day. She is today more confident and articulate. Taslima and Kashem are very happy and proud today because of their daughter's achievements.

Arifa learns to learn

Arifa, daughter of Atabul Seikh (a marginal farmer) and Sarbanu Bibi (engaged in beedi making) today studies in class IV at the local primary school at Ajagarpara and is a different girl compared to what she was in 2003. Though she was in class I in 2003 when Ananda pathshala started she joined it for additional support and guidance. She was a very slow learner and very irritable. She gradually learnt mixing and playing with other children at Annada Pathshala. Her self confidence increased as she learnt the alphabets and participated in drawing, story telling, recitation of rhymes, games and sports. With encouragement she is a regular at school and is now in Class IV. She is also very conscious of cleanliness and hygiene. Very recently she stood third in the 100 meters race at the Banshabati Gram panchayayt level Sports event. She is very proud of the prize won.

Aklema overcomes the odds..

10 year old Aklema Khatun was mainstreamed into primary school in 2004 after attending Ananda pathshala for one year during 2003 and she graduated to class IV in May 2007.She lives with her parents - father a marginal farmer & mother engaged in beedi-making and four sisters. Aklema has to look after her younger sibling (two year old sister) so that her mother can give more time to beedi making. Despite these hardships she is a meritorious student and her performance has been very good at school - she scored Grade A during previous annual examination when she graduated to class III. She was given a scholarship last year to encourage and support her in her studies. She has continued to do well in primary school and is a regular attendee. She comes to Ananda Pathshala regularly along with her two year old sister whom she is compelled to look after as her mother is busy in beedi-making. She also brings along with her another younger sister who has been admitted to primary school last year in class I. Aklema has also done very well during the theatre workshops and creative sessions.

Rekha's story

Rekha, 8 years old, is the youngest daughter of Hannan Seikh and Sako Bibi of Ajagapara village of Suti I, Murshidabad. Hannan is a van rickshaw puller and Sakobibi is engaged in Bidimaking. Her two elder sisters are going to Sishu Siksha Kundra (local formal primary school), but Rekha was never sent to school. Her parents, though illiterate themselves were interested in sending their youngest daughter, who was very naughty and restless, to school. Rekha started attending the Andanda Pathshala, but it was difficult to make her sit and to teach her to read and write even one letter in the initial four to five months. To make her sit still she was initially helped to make small shapes and different things out of clay. However she started learning rhymes. She was encouraged to hold the chalk and write by asking her to draw circles on the slate. ASHA's volunteers gave her time and attention and she started to learn now to write. From circles she progressed to making sketches of flowers, and with care and attention over the last two years she has now learnt to write the Bengali alphabets and figures 1-50.She also learnt to recite poems. Rekha is now in class II of the village Sishu Siksha Kendra.

Runa gets a start...

14 year-old Runa daughter of Ekbar Seik and Sahela Bibi of Ajagarpara village had never been to school though she and her parents were interested. Poverty had compelled her to start helping her mother in beedi making. She used to be engaged in beedi making for over 10 hours a day. Runa started attending Anand Pathshala but it was difficult for her to hold even the chalk or pencil. Her fingers had become stiff with beedi making. She was continuously encouraged to hold chalk/pencil and write whatever she could. After 4-5 months she started writing. Today she has learnt to read and write simple Bengali words, simple sentences, do additions and subtractions. She can even draw pictures and recite poems. But it is too late for her to join primary school. Moreover there is no facility of a nearby Bridge Course center (meant for over-aged children). However she is joining village Madrasa for learning religion and Arabic language as per traditions.