Championing the Champions!

In June 2023, it was a usual summer day in Likhmisar village in Northern Rajasthan. Anju, the second of four siblings, took photos of her certificates and sent them to one of her teachers. Her parents, who never got to attend school, worked on people's farms and had left for their day's work. They had trusted Anju to pursue the right path.
 
Sitting on the brick stairs of their quiet #PradhanMantriAwasYojana home, a realization set in "my time is over. I will never get to do what I wanted to do." 
 
Anju had been a sports-person. She knew the feeling of wins and losses. She knew how to prepare and give her all. She had seen highs and lows. But this feeling felt more permanent. It had been a year since she completed her college, and she knew no path she could pursue. 
 
Anju had started to play Kabaddi while in school. By the time she reached 12th grade, she had played in Nationals and in Women Kabaddi League. Right after high-school, Anju appeared for the state level entrance exam for a professional degree in sports education. She cleared the exam with merit, but could not find the means to pay for a two year residential education. The Government school where she had studied till 12th was free, but now the reality of not being able to pursue a desired professional education for lack of fee felt harsh. Anju joined a college nearby and continued to play.

The covid changed the pace of life and so did other family events. One of her brothers stopped studying after 12th for the lack of fee. He started working on farms with her parents. As her college ended, Anju was faced with similar choices. A year had passed. It's then that Anju got this message from one of her teachers from her high school. He asked Anju to send her certificates so he could pass it on to Hamari Laado.
 
In November of 2023, Anju had cleared the state level exams for post-college diploma in sports education. Anju stood with an admission letter in front of the same college she couldn't join after her high-school. A new feeling had found a way in her heart - hope. And the person who made it possible for Anju is Jasmine.
 
Jasmine grew up in different parts of India. After completing her bachelor’s in engineering and working in India for a few years, she moved to Europe to pursue higher education. Jasmine worked in the U.K, U.S. and is currently settled in Canada with her family. Despite being away from India for over 17 years, she has stayed connected with the culture of the country she was born and raised in. 
Jasmine grew up valuing education and hearing Anju’s story inspired her to support the education of a young woman with a lot of potential and determination. With this, Jasmine is not only enabling Anju's dreams but that of an entire family!

If you feel #inspired to help #bridgehope for another champion from #ruralindia , write to us and expand the circle of #GivingBack!

Change, one girl at a time! 😊