I remember, in 2012, I visited Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh, exploring the possibility of setting up a Community Library and Resource Center as per READ India model. We needed a space in the village. We came across a couple who was running a middle-level school in Aghapur village. We partnered with ILFS, who was responsible for constructing the highway and wanted to do some good for the local communities.
As READ India has a robust model of supporting Education, Enterprise, and Community Development, ILFS proposed to train women on zari zardozi in the initial time. Once their project was over, they withdrew but READ India continued its interventions. The local government was so supportive of constructing the roads, pathways towards the Center so that local communities, especially children should not cross the muddy roads.
Once most of the women and girls were trained on digital literacy, basic skills on stitching and sewing and zari zardozi embroidery and children started going to the formal schools, we shifted to Patwai, 10 kms away from Aghapur. The local government gave the free space of three rooms, courtyard, and gated house, which was once constructed for some community programme but was depleted. Local Sarpanch supported READ India and the READ Community Library and Resource Center was established. The READ team, especially girls, who were very shy and were not allowed to go to any other village, travelled to Patwai to manage and own the READ Center. One such girl is Farah. READ her story :
I’m Farah from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh and I’m here to share how my family is realising their dreams because they trusted me, encouraged me to continue my studies and also empower other girls on education and development with READ India’s support.
Where I live and the community I belong, daughters are discouraged from studying and having jobs. We’re told to just wait for a husband. As a daughter, I was afraid I was failing my family because I didn’t want to get married. But my parents surprised me—they went against tradition and agreed with my decision to not marry. They trusted me and my dreams.
Excited to explore opportunities, I began going to the Rampur READ Center. It’s amazing! They have so many programs to train women to become leaders in our homes and communities. Learning to use computers and joining confidence-building workshops changed my life. I fell in love with learning so I decided to go to college; my parents were happy to support me.
I gained the confidence to be independent, fulfil my goals, and support my loved ones. I was determined to build a happy and successful future for my whole family. I’m now 25 and proud to work on my master’s degree in teaching and give back to READ by working as a Center Coordinator. Most of all, I’m proud to help my family find opportunities to succeed.
With my job at the READ Center, I was able to send my brother and sister to a good school so they can finish their studies. They dream of finding a job they love too, so we are making that happen through education. I’m showing my thanks and love for my parents by buying a home and supporting their pilgrimage to Mecca. As a family, we are happily pursuing our dreams. It’s amazing how this all happened because my parents trusted their children to set their own futures! It’s the kind of support that inspires daughters like me to find ways to succeed through programs like those in READ Centers.
Different families have different dreams, and I encourage others to realise their dreams as this is not helping just one girl, but helping many generations coming our way.
The empowering journey did not stop here. A pre-school is run by these girls in Patwai, wherein more than 100 children from 3-6 years were studying pre-COVID and are now reached through mobile sharing the local e-content prepared by the teachers themselves. The impact is visible, the respect, self-dignity and recognition of these girls are beyond imagination.
In other parts like Kalghar in Rampur, girls like Abida, who wanted to do something in her life, started the stitching center from her home itself and training the women and young girls of her community on advance stitching and sewing. Similarly, Shabana, motivated by Abida, has spared one room in her house, with the consent of her parents, to train community girls on stitching and sewing and beauty and wellness. Is it not the way to have strong bonding among young girls and committed to make their peers learn, where is competition gone? where the disparity gone? and where the thought of becoming richer than others gone? The time is changing, and the thought process is also changing. Read about Abida :
Abida, aged 31 years belongs to an Indian Muslim orthodox family. She belongs to an introvert traditional family, where females of the households are not allowed to go outside the houses without seeking prior permission. Women mobility is strictly restricted for the sake of honour and prestige. Her family wants her to get married after completion of intermediate. However, she was desperate to continue her studies and want to give financial support to her family. Her father was scared of the societal pressure related to the societal honour of the women as in her culture and norms of society where girls are not promoted to work and earn. This wish of Abida to study and to help her family was like dream comes true when she got a job as stitching trainer at the READ Center after makng several promises, pledges and oaths to convince her family for this job and this permission was a new life for her.
She joined READ India centre in 2019 and tried to prove the best daughter to her parents. With all her sincerities, obedience and efforts she continues her job responsibilities as a Master trainer and in the meanwhile pursue her studies too.
After gaining knowledge from other trainings organized by READ India. She is now a confident independent girl who can earn her livelihood and can survive in this competitive world.
She never lost her hope and continued to work with all her efforts and now everyone in her village knows her with all honour and prestige. Her parents are recognized by her name. She not only earn bread for her family but also earn honour to her family. She is a role model for many girls of the village. Many girls got inspiration and motivation from her and are now studying and getting training in various courses. Her neighbours and relatives seek advice from her to choose better career options for their daughters. She continued her studies and completed her graduation degree from Madrasa. Her father has allowed her to get married at her own wish. Her younger sister is also allowed to study and both are earning their livelihood from the READ Centre. Her parents feel proud of her and says that every family should be blessed with a daughter like her. She feels blessed that her all dreams comes true.
Above all, the leadership and life skills sessions on a regular basis from the senior team of READ India nurtured the value system among these girls and they are in the process of invoking their leadership qualities.
It takes time, but consistent efforts with passion and positivity, with patience and perseverance, bring a sustainable change.
