When Barriers Are Removed, Education Begins

Chandni is a young girl from a rural village in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, where poverty and limited access to opportunities shape everyday life. Most families depend on agriculture and daily wage labour, with uncertain incomes and scarce resources making survival a constant challenge. Chandni grew up in one such household.

At just eight years old, she has already assumed responsibilities far beyond her age. She is one of ten siblings—three brothers and six sisters—in a family sustained by the hard physical labour of her parents, Raksharam and Geeta. In a household where daily earnings determined whether meals would be cooked, education was often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. Like many families in the village, her parents believed girls were more needed at home than in school. As a result, three of Chandni’s sisters dropped out after completing Class Eight and began contributing to household work and seasonal agricultural labour.

Chandni followed a similar path. She helped care for her siblings and manage domestic responsibilities, gradually drifting away from schooling. When her parents attempted to enrol her in school last year, the process stalled due to an error in her Aadhaar documentation. Despite multiple attempts, the enrolment could not be completed. The family, already stretched thin, felt overwhelmed by the administrative procedures. Without guidance or support, correcting official documents felt intimidating and unnecessary. Chandni remained out of school for yet another year, and over time, her absence from education became normal.

It was during this period that Educate Girls’ Field Coordinators and Team Balika volunteers, supported by the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), reached Chandni’s village through door-to-door survey. When they met Chandni and her family, they began engaging her parents in conversations about the importance of education, particularly for girls. As the discussions continued, the Aadhaar card emerged as the primary barrier.

The Educate Girls team stepped in with practical support—explaining the importance of accurate documentation and guiding the family through each step of the correction process. With sustained follow-up and local coordination, Chandni’s Aadhaar card was eventually corrected. It was a small administrative change, but one with life-altering implications.

The journey did not end there. During another round of home visits, the team returned. Once again, they addressed concerns, responded to doubts, and encouraged Chandni’s parents to reconsider their decision. This time, supported by continued engagement and growing awareness, the family agreed, and Chandni was successfully enrolled in Class Two.

Today, Chandni attends school every day. She speaks simply about her experience—she enjoys studying, playing with her friends, and learning new things. In the classroom, she is discovering a world that extends beyond household chores and daily survival.

Her story is a reminder that access to education is often delayed not by a lack of potential, but by small, solvable barriers. With patience, persistence, and the right support, every Chandni can return to school—and begin shaping a future of her own.