Bengaluru: Rescued from child labour, begging and abusive homes, Kanaka, Shashi and Narasamma's SSLC report cards don't reflect their difficult backgrounds. These children with the help of an NGO have turned their life around.
I worked in four homes
“I dropped out of school after grade 5, because my mother, a single parent, was battling cancer. My father would come home drunk and later became handicapped. I had to work in four houses as domestic help and I never thought I would study again," said Kanaka, who was rescued by the Sparsha Trust, an NGO.
On Friday, Kanaka scored 80% in her SSLC exams.
"I stopped working 6 years ago. I rejoined school and had tuitions in the evening. I really enjoy English and science. My goal is to become a scientist one day, with specialisation in biology," said Kanaka, with a tone of contentment.
Just like any other student, she had her share of tough subjects and fears. "I am terrified of maths. In my preparatory exams, I failed in Hindi. Guess what? My highest score in the final exam was in Hindi! I got 98 out of 100," said a pleasantly surprised Kanaka.
What changed?
"I got a lot of encouragement from my teachers. Now I can understand and think for myself. I feel blessed and happy. Now I know that even a slum girl like me can succeed in life. I have so many brothers and sisters here, that I forget the world outside," she added.
I took night classes
Shahi
Her zest for life is shared by one of her "brothers", Shashi.
"I got 90% in my SSLC exams. I used to stay at home with my mother, who works in a garment factory. Things were very difficult back home. Here, I had support from school and took night classes," said Shashi, who did not like to talk about his father.
He murmured hesitantly about his father leaving the family. When asked how he managed such a high score, he said, "I studied four hours a day. When I got tired and needed breaks, I would draw, paint, do arts and crafts. Now I am participating in a summer camp."
What would he like to become?
"I want to be a journalist like you. I want to expose corruption in our country. I will become a reporter in Bengaluru," he said.
My sisters and I begged on the streets
Narasamma
A while ago, Narasamma and her younger sisters begged in the day and slept in a temple at night.
"My mother left us and remarried. Our father was an alcoholic and would beat us. One day, I just took my sisters and ran away from home. It was scary, but home was scarier," said Narasamma.
Rehabilitation gave her the life she deserved. From a bad home to the streets, she and her siblings were finally rescued. Narasamma scored a 60% in her SSLC exams, not something she would have even remotely imagined earlier.
Her childhood was not ordinary like many others and she takes pride in being unique. "I want to take up science and study nursing. Everyone wants to become a doctor. It is too mainstream, so I want to be a nurse and help patients. I also want to help other people who struggled like me," Narsamma said.
Much like Mother Teresa , Narasamma also hopes to devote her life to the service of those less privileged.
