SANTOSH BHADARGE, VIDYA MUMBAI’S FIRST GRADUATE
I was in my 9th standard when I joined VIDYA. I passed my 10th standard SSC exams in 2008 with 64%.
I was able to continue my education because of the support from VIDYA. I got admission in Night School and enrolled in coaching classes. To my delight, I scored 66% in HSC and the next stop was a degree.
Jayshree Ma’am helped me get admitted to college and coaching classes. Last year, in 2013, I graduated with a Bachelor in commerce with 56%. This has been a major achievement for me.
I am the first graduate in my family and I am also the first graduate of VIDYA Mumbai. It gives me tremendous joy to know that I have that place in VIDYA. I am working as an Admin Executive in TCS now and I would still like to study further. I want to do an MBA and I am saving up to fund my own education.
I will always be grateful to VIDYA for all that they have done for me. I am not referring to only financial help but also how they contributed towards my personal growth as a human being. I have become more confident, better at time management, better at interacting with people and learnt to deal with my problems in a more effective way.
I realise the importance of education and want to educate my sister who just passed her 10th with 69%. I want her to be independent and self-reliant; and the only way to be like that is through education.
In future, I would like to volunteer and donate to VIDYA.
VIDYA Delhi
Nisha
Nisha joined BalVihar School when she was in preschool. Her father is a vegetable vendor and her mother is a homemaker. Together they earn a meager salary for a family of five to sustain themselves. She is one of two sisters and has one brother. Right from the beginning, Nisha had a passion to study and she always scored at the head of her class. With help from BalVihar, her older sister was admitted to Manav Bharti Public School. Nisha’s father wanted her to study in a public school as well. He completed the daunting task of submitting her application to Saint Anthony School.
Nisha was among 16 children from around Delhi called there for a written test, which only 5 children would be accepted. Nisha scored so well on the test that the school authorities preferred her and admitted her immediately. This high level of achievement has givenNisha a boost of self-esteem and is a positive step toward freeing her family from the cycle of poverty.
Gulab
Gulab is the son of a farmer and attended BalVihar until 5th grade. He was then accepted into a local public school to further his studies. Due to family circumstances he had to return to his family’s village after completing the 8th grade. There he completed 12th grade and was determined to go to college. Gulab’s persistence paid off and he graduated from Indira Gandhi National Open University with his Bachelor of Computer Applications.
He is currently pursuing his Master of Computer Applications and aspires to work at a multinational company. Coming from such destitute circumstances his life outlook could seem very bleak, but with his unwavering resolve, he was able to overcome his difficulties and surpass his own expectations.
Anisha
Anisha is a bright 10th student at the VIDYA School in Gurgaon. She comes from a humble background, her mother is a homemaker and her father is a laborer. It was a difficult childhood-Someone fed her some poisonous sweets, the after effects of which still trouble her.Then, at the age of 7, she had an accident which fractured her right hand. Her hand did not heal properly and it was very difficult for her to learn how to write. She thus has challenges with learning in the classroom. Though she has some disabilities, she does not let them get in the way of her dreams and aspirations. Her wonderful mind and her sheer determination have driven her to successfully complete every grade since preschool at VIDYA. Along with her written and oral skills, her self confidence has greatly improved throughout the years. She is eager to learn and regularly attends school and was recognized recently when she received a certificate for not missing a day of school.
Anisha’s story is inspiring in that where most tend to lose hope due to their circumstances, she chose to rise above her situation to pursue a better life for herself and her family.
Abha
Abha began going to the VIDYA School in Gurgaon when she was in preschool. In 2013, she lost her father to TB. Her mother’s lone paltry salary as a domestic worker was not enough to sustain their family of five. With the emotional and academic support of her teachers, Abha continued her education and began work as a domestic helper to assist her mother in making ends meet. Balancing school, work and caring for her siblings was a grueling task for such a young person. Her academics began to slip and she struggled to keep afloat.
She is now in the 10th stnadard and her grades are gradually improving. She takes part in all school activities and even qualified to run in a marathon in Delhi.Today, Abha is concentrating on her studies and dreams of becoming an architect. She is blessed with a good soul, kind heart and determination that will move mountains.
VIDYA Mumbai
Manoj
Manoj lives in 10×10 asbestos shed in the PowaiLabor Camp right behind the plush homes of Hiranandani. The labor camp has around 500 sheds/homes which are granted to families who work for a particular construction companies under contract. With Manoj scoring 85%, the hopes of his family have gone sky-high. Manoj was with VIDYA for more than 5 years and has completed the basic computer program.
At present, he is studying in Class 11 Science stream, at Vikas High School. Manoj is all geared up to study Civil Engineering. He says “Once I finish my engineering course and get a job, I will sponsor VIDYA children for their education”
Prema
Prema was enrolled in Beyond School Program from class 6.
Her father passed away while she was all geared up for her Class 10 exams.
But she did not let her performance fall and successfully passed the exams with flying colors (69%).
She is at present studying at Parag College, Bhandup.
Prema aims to study Banking and Insurance Course once she completes her Class 12.
Raju Yede
Raju and his family live in a shanty which has electric connection but no water supply.
His hobbies are playing cricket and football, writing, dancing and reading English books.
Raju has taken up BCA at Vikas College.
“The three years I spent at VIDYA will always be cherished as a golden time in my life. Learning with the mentors, I gained interest in academics purely because of their encouragement.”
Dhampal Dhurandhar
Dhamapal and his family which consists of his parents and two sisters live in a Jhopadi/hut with electric supply but no water connection. Water has to be brought from the community tap.
Dhamapal’s hobbies are playing, singing and reading books. He gets considerable support both from his parents and other close relatives in terms of encouragement. He is currently studying engineering at Gurukul Institute of Engineering & technology, Nashik.
He was a VIDYA – Beyond student for more than 4 years.
Aniket Mohan Mohite
Aniket Mohite has passed class 10 with 74%. He has been with VIDYA since class 5.
He is currently enrolled in the Mulund College of Commerce. His ambition is to become a lawyer.
Aniket loves sports and watches everything from WWE to football to cricket on TV. His favourite footballer is Lionel Messi. When asked what he appreciates most about VIDYA, without thinking twice he responds “because of VIDYA, I feel that I have become a much more responsible person”.
Babu Modhale
Babu joined Vidya in class 5. He has got 72.20% in class 10.
He is the second person in his family to pass class 10. His mother has been a constant source of encouragement.
His mother is very jovial to talk to and she strongly believes that education is the only way to get out of the poverty cycle, and this is what she wants for Babu. His family is extremely proud of his achievement.
His favourite cricketer is Suresh Raina and he hopes to acquire Raina’s flamboyance someday!
VIDYA Bangalore
Santhosh
Santhosh is a VIDYA Bhavishya yaan student of class IX and has inspired many of us. He recently lost his father to excessive drinking and a paralytic attack.
He has to work night shifts to make ends meet for himself, his three siblings and his mother. However, nothing has stopped this young man from attending his regular classes and he has been participating in all VIDYA events and celebrations.
He studies well and his academic performance has also been good. Santhosh has been very eager to learn.
Umar Faruq
Umar is a VIDYA Bhavishya yaan student of class IX at Gottigere High school. He starts his day at 5’o clock in the morning, distributing milk and newspapers to apartment complexes. He was pushed to work due to the financial constraints of the family.
Umar works hard in the mornings and still gets to school on time. He is in the top 10 students in his class. Umar is multitalented and enjoys dancing and painting.
Umar dreams of becoming a computer engineer and is passionate about giving back to the society with his education.
Sushmitha
Sushmitha is a brilliant VIDYA child of Bhavishya yaan at Gottigere high school, Bangalore. Sushmitha is the elder of the two siblings. She does all the household chores as well as cooking and getting her younger siblings ready for school as her mother has to leave for work at 5am.
Sushmitha says that she has grown and learnt so much after her association with VIDYA Bhavishya yaan. She says that she loves every minute of being with us.
Sushmitha has a very positive spirit despite of all the hard work she has to do.
Sushmitha wants to become a language teacher and work for the betterment of society as she feels education is the only way a society can change.
Hemanth
Hemanth is a charming and intelligent boy who attends Bhavishayaan at Gottigere high school in the 9th standard.
He works in the mornings before school distributing milk and newspapers to nearby apartments.
When he joined Bhavishya yaanHemanth was a timid boy but now is an open and fun living person.
Reshma
Our Karnataka State Spelling Bee champion, Reshma is the class topper and never misses a class.
A student of class IX at the VIDYA Bhavishya YaanProgram in Gottigere, is responsible and forthright.