Overcoming Barriers to Education
Background
Bhumika
Majhi, a 9-year-old girl studying in Class 3 at Shree Devi Basic School in
Kothabe, Ramechhap, belongs to the marginalized Majhi community. Her family,
including her older brother in Class 8, has faced significant hardships since
the devastating floods of October 2024. The floods destroyed their agricultural
land, leaving the family struggling to meet basic needs. Bhumika’s father,
Dikbahadur Majhi, now works as a daily wage laborer, but finding consistent
work in the village is challenging.
The
family’s financial struggles directly impacted Bhumika’s education. She and her
brother often fought over limited school supplies, sharing a single notebook
for all subjects. Their handwriting was unclear, and they sometimes missed
school due to a lack of proper uniforms or writing materials. Bhumika’s mother,
Kabita Majhi, expressed her frustration, "If I try to buy something for
one child, it becomes difficult to provide for the other. Sometimes,
there are no pencils or school dresses, and they can’t go to
school."
Intervention
Children
Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH), under the project Together
for Child Rights, provided educational material support to vulnerable
children like Bhumika.
The support included
- Subject-specific notebooks.
- Pens, pencils, and erasers.
- School bags and uniforms.
This
intervention aimed to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that
children could attend school regularly and focus on their studies.
Transformation
With
the support from CWISH, Bhumika’s life took a positive turn. She received her
own notebooks, pencils, and a school uniform, eliminating the need to share
supplies with her brother. Her mother shared, "Now, Bhumika has her own
notebooks and pencils. She doesn’t have to fight with her brother
anymore. She even takes good care of her books."
Bhumika’s
handwriting improved significantly, and she began completing her homework regularly.
She started attending school consistently, well-dressed and prepared. The
school principal, Mr. Amber Bhujel, noticed the remarkable change in Bhumika’s
attitude and performance. "Bhumika is now more confident and focused.
She comes to school regularly and takes pride in her studies," he
said.
Impact
The
educational support provided by CWISH had a profound impact on Bhumika and her
family:
·
Improved
Academic Performance: Bhumika’s
handwriting became clearer, and she began excelling in her studies.
·
Regular
School Attendance: Bhumika
no longer missed school due to a lack of supplies or uniforms.
·
Reduced
Family Stress: The
provision of educational materials eased the financial burden on Bhumika’s
parents, allowing them to focus on other essential needs.
·
Harmony
at Home: The
fights and quarrels between Bhumika and her brother over school supplies
ceased, creating a more peaceful home environment.
Conclusion
Bhumika’s
story is a powerful example of how small interventions can create significant
change. By addressing the barriers to education, such as the lack of basic
school supplies, CWISH’s Together for Child Rights project has
empowered Bhumika to pursue her education with confidence and
determination.
This
transformation not only improved Bhumika’s academic performance but also
brought relief to her family, demonstrating the importance of supporting
vulnerable children in their educational journeys. Bhumika’s story
serves as an inspiration and a reminder that every child deserves access
to education and the tools to succeed.
