INDIA 

Jayshree’s Story 

I lost my parents at a very early age and it was extremely hard for me to understand, but in 1998 I was brought to Mukti where I found so much love and care. Many other girls had also come to Mukti from difficult situations and together we enjoyed being a family. We were given nutritious meals, a safe place to live and a good education. After I graduated from Junior College, I enrolled in a hotel management course, which I successfully completed and went on to work for Starbucks as a barista for one year.

In 2016 my twin sister died, and I found it hard to carry on with life as normal. For three months I did not know what to do and how to cope. I was totally losing hope from everything. But at that time the Mission Director, Mrs Lorraine Francis, called me back to Mukti so that I could receive the loving care that I needed and refocus on my future. It was such a help to me. Then an overseas sponsor offered to pay for me to do further study. In 2018 I enrolled in Christ University to study for my MBA. For the first three months I really struggled to improve my English and apply myself to my studies. However, with lots of encouragement from my sponsor and from Mukti, I finished all semesters with good marks and graduated with my MBA in May 2020. Even my friends were surprised at my results.

I returned to Mukti whilst I looked for suitable work and I assisted in the Indian Communications Office and I also acted as a guardian for the girls in Sunflower family (one of the many family homes at Mukti). Recently I was selected to work for a large corporate business as an Analyst – Risk & Compliance. It’s a job that I could hardly ever have dreamed of.

I can proudly say’s I am a “Mukti daughter”. Because of Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission and the generosity of sponsors, I am an independent woman. Because of them today I’m alive and have a positive future.

SRI LANKA

Jegen’s Story 

Jegan lives in a tea-picking community near Hatton.  His mother is a housewife, and his father is a common labourer who works in Colombo.  He has a younger sister. His only dream is to study hard and get a good job so that he can look after his family.

Jegan was one of the first boys to enrol in the Child Assistance programme run by Wings of Hope (WOH) in Hatton.  He was 12 years old, studying in Year 7 when he joined WOH in December 2015. He would attend the compulsory classes held after school every day and then race to attend our education programme to get extra tuition and help from our teachers.  He has received an award for his excellent attendance and class performance every year since he has been in the programme.

In December 2020, he sat for his Ordinary Level Examination, which he passed with very good results! Jegan is now eligible to continue with further studies and he will commence advanced level study (Year 13) in the commerce stream in 2021.

Jegan’s mother is overjoyed.  She was the strongest force behind her son, encouraging him never to give up.  She is a great example to the other mothers, as is Jegan to the other children.

Jegan is on his way to breaking the cycle of poverty in his family.

Wings of Hope and Mukti Australia are very proud of Jegan’s achievement and share in his joy and that of his family.