As the holidays and new year approach, C2C is honored to present “From Struggle to Strength,” a series focusing on the personal stories of the girls we support. We invite you to celebrate these remarkable young women as they share their hopes, challenges, dreams, and accomplishments. Your support of our students and their limitless potential is deeply appreciated.
Trisha
Trisha is 12 years old and has attended EMRS for a year. Her father is a tractor driver, and her mother works on a farm, but their income does not provide enough for their household needs.
Having seen her parents work so hard for their family of five, Trisha is determined to make the most of her education. “I have seen my parents sacrifice so much to send me to school,” she says. “I have seen them cry and struggle and I will not disappoint them.”
Trisha loves to sing and play kabaddi, which is a contact sport between two teams. “It is a sport that increases blood circulation in our body,” she says. “Like any other game, it teaches us discipline and increases the sportsman spirit inside us.”
Inspired by her English teacher’s dedication and patience, Trisha wants to become a teacher herself one day. She likes making her teachers happy and is proud when she gives them correct answers. “It gives me motivation to work harder and become like them in the future,” she says. “I really like how teachers understand our problems and teach us with patience...They are always ready to help us.”
The C2C classes have also helped Trisha gain self-confidence and a belief in herself and her abilities. “I learned…to speak up and express my thoughts and opinions,” she says. “I learned how to work in a team, delegate tasks, and motivate others. I also learned how to identify problems and find creative solutions for them.”
Her education has also taught Trisha the importance of self-care. “Self-care is not selfish, but rather, it is an essential part of taking care of ourselves so that we can be better equipped to take care of others,” she says.
Although Trisha was homesick when she first arrived at school, she quickly made friends and has now started teaching her siblings about computers. “Today, girls should not think that they cannot be something,” she says. “So many of my teachers are women, and they tell me that I can do anything. C2C classes help me to achieve my dream.”
Because of the C2C classes, English is Trisha’s favorite subject, and she is especially proud of using her language skills to help her family, like when she was able to read English-language signs during a trip with her father.
“The joy I get when I am able to talk and understand the (English) chapter and even jokes sometimes, it is like a different new world where everything is new,” she says. “New stories, new movies, and new possibilities…I am looking forward to the day when I can use my education and skills to give back to my community. I hope to become a role model for other girls who may be facing similar challenges like me….As a girl from a poor background, there weren’t many opportunities for me pursuing my career and higher studies. C2C has blessed me with this opportunity of pursuing my dreams and becoming a successful person in life.”
Trisha has also learned a fundamental belief that she will carry into her future. “I have received many pieces of advice throughout my life,” she says, “but the best advice I have ever received is to never give up on my dreams. Despite the challenges and obstacles that I face on a daily basis, this advice has helped me to stay focused and motivated, and to keep pushing forward even when things seem impossible.”
Trisha encourages girls to believe in themselves and focus on their studies. “No matter what challenges you might face, there is always light,” she says. She also thanks people who support C2C because “they are not only changing the lives of these girls but also helping to create a more equal and just society. Their support can make a real difference in the lives of the girls in C2C and in this world as a whole.”