Hardworking Sisters!

If there is a will there is a way says an age-old proverb. This was put into action by two sisters at Pratham Open School of Education– Jyoti and Manjuamatha. They migrated to Hyderabad a long time ago under stress as they did not have any source of livelihood in their village. 

Jyoti the eldest among the two studied up to class nine, her sister Manjumatha studied up to class eight. The family situation demanded them to work as n semi-skilled, unskilled construction workers on Sundays which is a weekly off in their school, to begin with. But after a certain point they had to completely discontinue regular school as the daily wage of both their parents was not sufficient to feed a family of five. Both sisters recall that that as the worst moment in their life.

Getting semi-skilled, unskilled jobs in the Construction Sector is an easiest way out for all the migrant families. This gives them an option to work under one roof. The entire family is engaged in the doing unskilled work at various construction sites in the city – Hyderabad. They earn Rs. 300 a day with which they fulfill their basic need on day-to-day basis.

From the past one year they have been attending both cluster classes and hub center classes. The tutor says, “both are hardworking girls and the interest with they approach this opportunity is very delightful”.  However, they still continue working at the construction site occasionally as and when required. When asked about the aim in life, Jyoti says, “I want to work on the computer in an office as a data entry operator. I will enroll in computer classes once I have a class tenth certificate.”

Pratham has always ensured equal participation by the community as this will increase the ownership of the community members. One such thing is the Examination Fess which has to be paid by the student as this will increase their ownership towards the program. Both of them were one of first to pay up their fees. Manjumata says,” We paid one fees with two day’s wage of the entire family as I do not want to continue doing unskilled work like my parents”

It is hearting to see that though they were in dire circumstances they did not give up till the end. Their parents also realized that unskilled, semi-skilled work could be done only until a certain, only until they have physical power and not forever.