My name is Shifa and I am a student of Grade 8. I live in Malwani, Mumbai. In class, I learn about very nice things like Malala’s diary and about student leadership so we too can become leaders in the future.

My parents left me in Malwani when I was 10 days old. Then my neighbour adopted me and brought me to live with her. In May this year, she had to leave for Saudi because we needed money. I live at home alone right now but I have learnt how to cook and clean, and dress myself for school in the morning, so it is not so hard anymore.

Sajiya is in the 8th grade, but cannot even read grade 1 text. For the first few weeks of joining school, she sat in the corner by herself, hitting and poking her classmates when I wasn’t looking. We tried to teach her, only to realise that she didn’t even know the alphabet. Prior to joining this school, she had had no formal education. Sajiya started learning the alphabet in February and has since made significant progress. Today, she walks me to my car after school and writes 100 sentences a day. She often comes to school sleep-deprived, since her family makes her work as a maid in the neighbours’ homes until very late at night. Her father beats her up every night and is refusing to pay for her education, given that she is behind grade level. Sajiya is determined to learn English and complete school even if it takes her a few extra years. She is an inspiration of why where we come from should not determine where we go.

Sohail is a 14 year old orphan, living below the poverty line with irregular monthly income. He has an elder brother, elder sister and brother in law. There is no investment in Sohail’s education and development due to family feuds and no one taking responsibility for him. Sohail has been an inspiration to his class as well as his teachers; he is a student leader who is extremely passionate about science and does independent reading and research. He has participated in numerous activities such as debates, quizzes, essay writing competitions and making science models. In the future, he aims to become an automobile engineer.

Their stories are not unusual.  Thanks to the determination of these remarkable children, their dedicated teachers and with the support Zenith Education provides, there is hope for their future.

To protect the children’s security, images and names do not correspond.