Irtiqa’s journey back to school: rebuilding dreams through education

10/07/26

Success Stories

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When support arrives at the right time, it can turn hesitation into hope and bring a child back to where they belong —

In the remote village of Pethmakhama in Budgam district, Kashmir, 13-year-old Irtiqa Ashraf, a student of Grade 7 at Boys High School Pethmakhama, was slowly drifting away from her education.

Coming from a family of five, Irtiqa’s life was shaped by daily struggles. Her father, a daily wage labourer earning nearly ₹1 lakh a year, worked hard to provide for the family, while her mother managed the household. With limited resources and two siblings to care for, education often took a back seat to survival.

For Irtiqa, the burden of poverty was deeply personal. Without a proper school uniform, textbooks, or even a school bag, attending school became a source of embarrassment. She began missing classes, staying home to help her mother with chores, and gradually lost touch with her studies. Her attendance dropped to just 40%, putting her at serious risk of dropping out altogether.

That is when Honda Ki Pathshala (HKP) stepped in.

Recognizing her vulnerability, the initiative extended immediate support by providing Irtiqa with a complete school uniform, textbooks, a school bag, and essential learning materials. What seemed like simple resources became powerful tools of change, removing the barriers that kept her away from school.

But the support did not stop there.

Regular counselling sessions and home visits were conducted to engage both Irtiqa and her parents. These conversations helped them understand the importance of education and reassured Irtiqa that she was not alone in her journey. Slowly, her confidence began to return.

She was encouraged to participate in school life beyond academics — drawing competitions, sports events, and celebrations — helping her reconnect with her peers and rediscover the joy of learning.

Irtiqa’s attendance improved from 40% to 66%, and eventually soared to 96%. With renewed confidence and access to the resources she needed, she began attending school regularly, maintaining her notebooks carefully, and actively engaging in classroom discussions and activities.

Through her continued participation in the Honda Ki Pathshala initiative, which supports vulnerable children by bridging learning gaps in English, Mathematics, and Science while ensuring continuity in education, Irtiqa has overcome the challenges that once threatened her future.

Today, Irtiqa is no longer the hesitant girl standing at the edge of dropping out. She is back in the classroom — learning, growing, and dreaming again. Her journey is a powerful reminder that with timely support and belief, every child can find their way back to education.

Gaurav Sharma

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