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Pratibha
is a 16-year old girl who is now doing well in school.
Several years ago, however, she was in desperate
circumstances.
After her father had left Pratibha,
her mother, and her brother several years ago,
Pratibha's paternal grandparents provided the three with
shelter but not food. Pratibha's mother found a job as a
housemaid, but she earned very little. In order to
provide money for the education of the children,
Pratibha's mother often went without food, as did
Pratibha and her brother at times. Eventually,
Pratibha also found work as a housemaid on a 12-hours
per day work schedule. Pratibha earned 200 rupees (less
than $5) per month, and, because meals were not included
with her work, she spent all her wages on food (one meal
per day). Pratibha was miserable: often hungry,
embarrassed, and isolated from her friends. In addition,
between Pratibha and her brother, the family took for
granted that Pratibha, being a girl, should give up
formal schooling and "bring an income" to the
family.
Three years ago Pratibha's mother turned
for help to the Sharana Social and Development Organization.
After working with the family for five months, the Sharana
Director convinced Pratibha's mother (and Pratibha) that
Pratibha could return to school through the support of the
International Foundation for Hope. Both Pratibha and her
mother had feared that if Pratibha returned to school, they
would further be without food. But the Sharana Director also
helped Pratibha's mother secure a better job.
Pratibha and her family now have hope
that Pratibha can fulfill many of her dreams through the
formal education she is receiving with the support of the
International Foundation for Hope.
Case Study 2
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Rajkumar
is a boy who is now excelling at school and can look
forward to pursuing post-secondary studies in
engineering. Several years ago, however, Rajkumar had
discontinued his studies in order to support his widowed
mother.
In order to support his mother,
Rajkumar found a job in an "arrack shop"
(alcohol shop) selling snacks. His mother worked as
housemaid, but she earned very little. Spending long
hours working in the arrack shop, Rajkumar soon became
addicted to alcohol.
Rajkumar's mother turned for help to the
Sharana Social and Development Organization. Initially,
Rajkumar would not accept the help of Sharana social workers.
After much persuasion, Rajkumar at last agreed to participate
in an Alcoholics Anonymous-type program. Nonetheless, alone
and confused, Rajkumar would often skip the sessions. After a
several months, however, Rajkumar began making regular visits
to the Sharana office in Pondicherry where he could play and
talk with other children who were attending school. Eventually
Rajkumar overcame his alcoholism and expressed a desire,
despite his many apprehensions, to resume going to school.
Through support made available through
the International Foundation for Hope, Rajkumar began again to
attend school. With the daily assistance of Sharana social
workers over a six-month period, Rajkumar began to develop
self-confidence and soon was doing well in his studies. During
this period, Sharana social workers also helped Rajkumar's
mother find a better job.
Today Rajkumar is excelling in his
studies. Rajkumar hopes one day to gain admission to an
engineering program at a university.
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