Thirteen years ago, the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project opened as a first-class boarding school in India for the poorest of children whose families, treated like dirt, came from the lowest class — literally called the Untouchables. Today, we are proud to have Shanti Bhavan in the She’s the First network, and we join them in celebrating a feat like no other: their very first graduation on June 6th!
Every week leading up to Graduation Day, the She’s the First blog will spotlight one of the female graduates of the Shanti Bhavan Class of 2010. In their own words, these girls will speak to the power of education in transforming their lives and their hopes for the future. Shanti Bhavan will continue supporting these young women in college too — annual tuition is $2,000 per student. She’s the First wants to help! Don’t feel pressure to foot the whole bill with your fundraising…You can donate any amount to support the Scholarship Fund and maintain a relationship with these students who share their stories on shantibhavanonline.org. Donate any amount directly here, and tell Shanti Bhavan that you’re repping She’s the First!
Now, meet the first scholar in our Shanti Bhavan spotlight series…we proudly present Mahalakshmi Keshavan!
Mahalakshmi Keshavan, Shanti Bhavan Graduate
Born as girl from deprived family background, I had little chance of a bright future, or even dreaming of one. My father was a mason who worked to feed a large family. As a young girl, I did not anticipate ever going to school. A girl being educated was unheard of in my family. Instead, I spent my days on the fields with my grandparents, waiting for the next meal…
Today, I am a young woman with a voice of her own. Obstacles do not slow my pace. Rather, my background has fueled my desire to fight injustice. My desire to eliminate discrimination and inequity from the face of humanity was instilled in me after I witnessed women in my family being beaten, the innocence of children robbed by abuse and the lives of laborers blighted by the deceiving rich. I am currently preparing for my Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) in the pursuit of becoming a lawyer.
Law will give me the voice to defy the prevailing oppression and inequality alive in Indian communities. This road has not been taken by any others in my community. The idea of educating a female child in my village still makes eyes widen with shock. But, I strongly believe that my community will look upon me as a harbinger of hope once my dreams become reality. I know that I’m not alone in this race. Running by my side are my parents and the members of Shanti Bhavan family who constantly urge me never to lose sight the finish line. I have faith in my endeavors and so does my founder. He revealed this faith in me when I was in fourth grade through his words “Goodnight, my young lawyer.”
Inspired? Tell us how you feel after reading Mahalakshmi’s words! >READ HER FULL PERSONAL STATEMENT HERE
