Mencha, a 45 years old widow from Hatigoda tribal dominated remote village in Thakurmunda block of Mayurbhanj district took a great challenge in nurturing her 3 children – two daughters and one son, when her husband – Benudhar Gaipai passed away due to serious illness in 2017. That time, her elder daughter Anima was about to appear the High School Certificate Examination in two days ahead. Anima managed to complete her examination in First Division securing 63% marks and now continuing her higher study in Dharanidhar Maha Vidyalaya, Kendujhar. The second daughter, Pratima has been studying in Draupadi Girls’ High School, Nisaposi from 8th Std. with all sincerity and her participation in various programmes is remarkable.

Being an Anganwadi Worker, Mencha manages a 4-member family with limited remuneration including children’s education. Knowing the value of education, she tries her level best to impart better higher education to her children. They have only a small homestead land of 0.30 Acre.

This year, Pratima had appeared the HSC Examination and got First Division securing 74.52% marks (446 marks out of 600). Among the Scheduled Tribe students, to her credit, she has been declared as Topper in Thakurmunda Block and felicitated by both Debabrata Memorial Charitable Trust and Block Administration in her success.

Being a sponsored child of CYSD’s Child Development Project since 2020, Pratima has been supported for her education in particular and Draupadi Girls’ High School, Nisaposi in general in terms of infrastructure, water facility, Computer lab, Library, study materials in every year, training, orientation & exposure to students & teachers. This helped Pratima a lot to perform well in her study. As a sponsor child, her family also availed varied support from CYSD including dry ration and hygiene kits during this Covid-19 pandemic.

“My dream is to fly high becoming a Doctor and serve the deprived people for which I am aspirant to get admission in +2 Science in Dharanidhar Maha Vidyalaya, a good college in Kendujhar. Also, I am thankful to CYSD for standing behind me throughout and supporting my family during any crisis”, says Pratima enthusiastically.