Manjula is a bundle of talents

Manjula* is a 14 year-old girl from the town of Anupshahar, which is located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. She is currently in class 9A at the Pardada Pardadi Inter College. Her father, Jatender Saxena grinds wheat into flour for a living, and her mother, Usha, is a housewife. She has three sisters who all live in a three room house; Madhuri’s family has a toilet, a hand pump for water and electricity.

Illiteracy among girls in India is widespread. 70% of the children who are not enrolled in school are girls. Pardada Pardadi (PPES) provides free education for its students, including vocational training, textbooks, meals, and supplies. Though it started with an enrollment of 45, PPES now educates and provides job training and employment for 996 girls.

A versatile girl, Madhuri is at the top of her class. She likes to draw, enjoys dancing and particularly loves music classes. She is also the emcee for school ceremonies because of her diction, stage presence and self confidence. She is very artistic and in the future, Madhuri wants to become a clothing designer someday!

Thank you, Jerrine, for donating two sets of school uniforms, winter clothes and shoes to Madhuri. Every day that Madhuri comes to the Pardada Pardadi is another day that promises to tap her talents.

*name changed to protect identity