sha Society, an NGO, has mentored and guided more than 114 underprivileged children to gain admission in Delhi University, with some of them waiting for the last cut-off list. This year, nearly 70% of the admissions conducted by the NGO were for girl-students. Most of the slum children neither had their parents as mentors nor financial resources to continue into college.
“Owing to the backwardness of slum areas and cultural prejudice, girls are most often not allowed by their parents to graduate and pursue higher studies. Boys also are forced to start working to procure an income. The concept of university education doesn’t exist among the slum-dwellers. So our organisation guides them with counselling and financial support so that they have adequate resources”, said Kiran Martin, the head of Asha Society.
“Among other things, we provide books and study materials at school level, and help with the documentation of the students during university admissions. If students want to go to private universities, we help them procure an education loan. We even get them clothes and other accessories, because they should be confident when they go to college. They shouldn’t be alienated on the basis of their background”, added Mrs Martin.
“My family members were very supportive about the fact that I was interested in further education. But nevertheless, the NGO helped me since I was at school and even now when I’m in college”, says Kajal Maurya, a fresher at Maitreyi College.
“From the study materials to the financial contribution, Asha has helped me since I was in school. I’m waiting for the next cut-offs, and I’ll try till the last day to get an admission”, said Avdesh Kumar, presently in PGDAV college.
Kiran Martin says that the stress is to get an admission in Delhi University, as most of the students don’t meet the high cut-offs.
“We encourage them to get admission into any college. We also have many students who are now professionals and devote some of their time in contributing to teaching the younger students. This is their way of giving back to society”, she says.
Vivek Prasad, who scored 84% in his exams, has got admission in Deshbandhu College in BSc Life Sciences.
He has big plans for his career. “Asha has helped me a lot during my early days. Even now, in documentation and submission of certificates, it guided me about the procedure of admission. I hope to continue my academics”, said Vivek.
(The writer is an intern with The Hindu)
We also have many students who are now professionals and now help the younger students
The concept of university education doesn’t exist among the slum-dwellers. So our organisation guides them with counselling and financial support”, said Kiran Martin, the head of Asha Society
