Kiran Kumari is the eldest daughter of a couple, both of whom are daily labourers, residing at Shiv Changra Tola of West Champaran district, Bihar. She has one elder brother and one younger sister. The pressure of financial burden of the family forced her to focus on income-generating activities and doing odd jobs at home.

Kiran Kumari started spending most of her time rearing domestic animals to support her family. The precious time of her childhood was passing meaninglessly without education until social activists of READ (a Jesuit Social Centre of Ranchi Jesuit Province) made the initiation to open a Supplementary Education Centre (SEC) in her village three years ago to impart education to the poor maha dalit children. Initially, she found much difficulty in reading and writing. However,  she continued to attend classes in the centre, which gradually helped her to improve her reading and writing skills. In addition, she attended short-term residential training programme for 15 days at READ. This gave her immense opportunity to build her confidence. The residential training also revealed her innate talents and she gradually overcame her hesitation and fear and learnt to develop fellow feeling among the group members, respect for elders, value of cleanliness and a disciplined life.

“I am determined to become a teacher in future and share my experience and knowledge with the poor children. I heartily thank READ for the opportunity given to me to recognise my self-worth and talents and for instilling in me the hope and desire to live a purposeful life”, says Kiran Kumari.