When you dare to dream, the goal gets clearer and when you take the first step, however tiny it is, your journey towards it has indeed, flagged off. No doubt, the journey can be tedious and it is no different for Shasikala either.
This twenty-two-year-old wants to be an IAS officer. But she is not in a situation to dive deep into it, right away. For the responsibility of running her family consisting of father, mother, a brother and a sister is solely on her father’s shoulders. Her further studies would aggravate her father’s responsibilities. Hence, her first priority was to get herself a job.
Though a BBA graduate, she felt the need to join a skill development centre like Pratishtha to learn new skills and computers and make her employable. In no time, an enthusiastic Shashikala quickly grabbed everyone’s attention not only by becoming the top student but also by helping her classmates to succeed.
When a vacancy was noted in one of the centres, Pratishthta was quick enough to recruit her as a trainer. Shashikala indeed has taken the first step towards her goal. She feels proud to have become a trainer and believes she will bring further success to Pratishtha, while also building her own career. “ Besides, my income would lessen the burden of my father. I can support the education of my brother and sister,” she says with a glint in her eyes.
Now, as a trainer, she is enjoying teaching and recently completed four-day training at Quest Alliance, the NGO partnering with Pratishtha. She liked the retail course and English the most.
With all the good things happening to her, it is equally important to note that Shashikala’s new earnings have allowed her to become independent, as she no longer has to rely on others for her sustenance.
Ends
REACHING HAND 