Breaking Blockades: Najiya’s Journey from Child Labor to Education

14/02/25

Success Stories

67

A Dream Takes Afloat

At 15, Najiya’s life was at crossroads. Born in a small village in Bihar, she grew up in a family that cherished her but struggled with financial constraints. Despite these challenges, Najiya’s determination to learn never wavered. However, the weight of her family’s hardships forced her parents to make a difficult decision—they sent her to Delhi to live with her aunt, Rahmati Khatoon, hoping she would find better opportunities.

A Resilient Caregiver

Rahmati Khatoon, herself a survivor of domestic abuse, lived separately from her husband and sustained herself through tailoring. Despite her own struggles, Rahmati embraced Najiya with open arms, vowing to provide her with the education and care she deserved. However, enrolling Najiya in school proved to be a daunting challenge.

Determined to secure admission for her niece, Rahmati sought legal adoption to formalize her guardianship. Tragically, she fell victim to a fraudulent agent who charged ₹10,000 for fake adoption papers. When the school rejected the documents, Rahmati found herself at a loss.

Support from the Community

Frustrated but undeterred, Rahmati turned to Bal Raksha Bharat’s Multi-Activity Center (MAC) with the help of Ms. Nemlata Sharma, a Child Protection Committee (CPC) member and Anganwadi worker. The MAC team quickly assessed the situation and guided Rahmati through the proper steps. This initiative has been implemented by, Bal Raksha BHarat with support from Sonalika CSR.

First, the team registered Najiya on an online school admission portal and advised Rahmati that legal adoption was unnecessary for her admission under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Instead, they recommended obtaining a guardianship affidavit.

With the team’s help, Rahmati prepared the affidavit and sent it to Najiya’s parents for their signatures. Simultaneously, the team updated Najiya’s Aadhaar card to reflect her current address, providing the required proof for her school admission. Armed with the corrected documents, Rahmati approached the school again.

A New Beginning

Through persistent efforts by Rahmati, the CPC, and the MAC team, Najiya was successfully enrolled in school. Today, she attends classes with enthusiasm, her dream of becoming a teacher reignited.

Rahmati’s unwavering determination and the community’s support played a pivotal role in transforming Najiya’s life. Reflecting on her niece’s progress, Rahmati shared, “Meri zindagi mein bohot mushkilein hain, par Najiya ke liye kuch bhi karne ko tayar hoon. Uska sapna mera sapna hai” (“My life is full of struggles, but I am ready to do anything for Najiya. Her dream is my dream”).

Inspiring Others

Najiya’s journey is an evidence to the power of resilience and the transformative impact of community support. With continued guidance and encouragement, she is breaking free from the cycle of poverty and setting an inspiring example for other girls in similar situations. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, proving that with the right support, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.

Gaurav Sharma

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