Stories

Kiran Kumari's Self-Discovery through READ

Kiran Kumari is the eldest daughter of two daily labourers. They are 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 family forced her to focus in income-generating activities and doing odd jobs at home.
Kiran Kumari started spending most time rearing domestic animals to support her family. The precious time of her childhood was passing meaninglessly without education until a Supplementary Education Centre (SEC) opened in her village three years ago to impart education to the poor mahadalit children. Initially, she found much difficulty in reading and
writing. However, she continued to attend classes in the centre, which gradually helped improve her reading and writing skills. In addition, she attended short-term residential training programme for 15 days. This gave her immense opportunity to build her confidence. The residential training also revealed her innate talents and she gradually overcame hesitation and
fear. She gradually learnt to develop fellow feeling among group members, respect for elders, value of cleanliness and a disciplined.
“I am determined to become a teacher in future and share my experience and knowledge for the poor children. I heartily thank SEC for the opportunity given to me to recognise my self-worth and talents and instilling in me the hope and desire to live a purposeful life”, says Kiran Kumari.

MAIN's Timely Response Saved Ms Vinita's Ordeal

In search of work, 22-year old Ms Vinita Patpal from Uttarakhand travelled to Delhi. Upon reaching Delhi, she lost whatever little she had, her money and also her phone, at the New Delhi Railway Station. Deeply sad and in utter confusion by what had happened, Vinita stayed at the railway station for the next two days without anything to feed herself.

However, after two days, she mustered courage to leave the station and ask for help from an auto driver nearby. Vinita narrated her ordeal to him and that she had no relatives in the city to seek help. The auto-rickshaw driver did not want her to linger at the railway station for fear of her safety and human trafficking. He took Vinita to his house in Yamuna Khadar slums, Shastri
Park, and contacted Ms. Babita Kumari, community worker of MAIN (Migrant Assistance and Information Network). Since he knew her from the time of the COVID-19 relief work with distressed migrants, he sought help for Vinita too.

Babita reached out on the police helpline number the next day and Vinita was taken to Shastri Park police station. The police asked her details and how she landed in the city. Babita also contacted the Women’s Commission helpline too. Meanwhile, SHO Vijay Kumar and Shastri Park Police Station inspector Rajkumar spoke to Vinita and decided to send her back home.

Thanks to the timely intervention and support facilitated by Babita from MAIN, Vinita was finally sent back to her home safely in Kirti Nagar, Uttarakhand.’