Girls Education Program- India

"The Girls Education Program supports disadvantaged girls to complete secondary school with the skills needed to negotiate life decisions."

We are at the community center where the girls meet for their activities in an urban slum. We enter a basic concrete structure through a low-mantled door. Traversing a small courtyard, with even a monkey hovering nearby, we proceed to a gathering room. There is only a small table and a few chairs. The concrete walls are mildew stained and the ceiling fans don't work. It is stifling. Some of the mothers are seated on the thin mats on the floor.





We had been briefed by the "social mobilizers" (mentors) about the effects extreme poverty has had on the young girls. But little were we prepared for the joyful experience that awaited us.

We walked into a room full of bright-eyed beautiful smiling girls. They were excited about our visit and proud to show us candles and macrame purses and sculptures from jute they had made. They performed a skit they had created about the dangers of alcohol, drugs, and HIV. Even though spoken in Hindi, there was no mistaking the conviction of the message.

We also visited with the mothers. They aspire for a better life for their daughters. The girls share their life skill knowledge with them too. This, in turn, has given confidence to their mothers as well.

Here I am talking with some of the girls. They kept moving closer and leaning in as we engaged with each other. A mobilizer translated. They asked what I thought of India. I am telling them how I have had a dream to come to India since I was their age. It took me 50 years, but here I am! I'm urging them to keep their dreams and when one comes true, to always have another.

We talked about books. I asked them what they prefer.. Is it mystery? Or science? We all agreed however, that romance is fun. What would they like to be? How many want to be teachers? How many want to be doctors? How many like to draw?

We also talked of what is the same between us and what is different. They have long hair. Mine is short. They are young. I am old. (There was laughter, to be sure.) We all have brown eyes. And we are all girls together. I am telling them, it is the things that are different about us that make life interesting, but it is the things that are the same, that we share, that are important.



Somehow the sweltering heat, the melting bindi (an honor bestowed upon the forehead of guests with red powder and a grain of rice), the trickle of perspiration running down my back didn't matter. I had the time of my life. My tears came later.

There are three men and five women in our group.  Each one of us were moved by the spirit and determination of these girls.  We received more inspiration than we could ever possibly have given.