Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Two square meters of Success

Suman

Someone has said very rightly, ‘You live life by the trust that others have in you and not by your own’. Suman had admirably broken the grey walls of her life. After her fathers’ demise, Suman, just 11 years then had no idea about her life. Her mother, an ardent believer of God had no escape from her depressing prison. That was the turning point when Suman swore that every year she will grow higher and higher.

Life Foretold? Hailing from a family of seven members, Suman is the middle one among her five siblings. Since her childhood she had excellent aptitude for academics. This made her somehow complete her schooling from a government school in Govindpuri area of New Delhi. However her schooling too had several crests and troughs. For some people life carries unending struggles and Suman is one of them. For some reasons Suman could not pass ninth standard nevertheless she continued further studies from Deepalaya school and completed her XIIth class through NIOS (National Institute of open School).

Speaking with Suman none would realize that she had ever been a broken gal. Suman, highly focused and ambitious, enrolled into a six months nursing aid course from a private institute near her home. Suman has always seen herself draped in a clean white dress of a nurse. This aspiration came from the dream of her father. He always instilled thoughts in her to become a nurse and now when he has left his mortal coil, still his memories encircle Suman’s life at all times.

After completing her six months nursing course Suman worked for a year in a private hospital followed by additional working experience with a private gynecologist. The earnings were not sufficient and simultaneously Suman thought the work is not letting her grow. She seriously pondered over and realized her father’s dream that was not to see her just a junior nurse instead a head nurse.

Suman wanted to study further and add to her qualifications. ‘How would it be possible?’ a question that banged not only on her mind but her complete family’s mind 24 hours a day. Unflinching confidence on self and faith on God opened a new door for Suman. One fine morning, on her visit to Deepalaya school to meet her teachers, she felt a new dawn to her life. Deepalaya offered to sponsor her nursing studies and hostel accommodation too.

Suman was enrolled to a three years GNM course from SOS Nursing School near Delhi. Her complete education with her lodging is sponsored by Dewan Foundation and Deepalaya. Suman falls short of words when it comes to pay thanks to Deepalaya. She is not happy about fulfilling her dreams instead she is rejoicing the realization of her father’s dream. Suman says her father is showering his blessings from heaven that made everything possible for her. For Suman, Deepalaya was a beginning when she did not clear ninth class and once again Deepalya stood by her when she had no shoulder to cry on.

Ajeet

Ajeet Kumar Mahato, seventeen years old is a son of a farmer of Jalika village in West Bengal. He has a younger brother and a sister. His father Satish Mahato was a sworn alcoholic who use to beat his wife and children in drunken stupor. Although Ajeet was keen to go to school, he instead had to do odd jobs around the village to provide for his father’s liquor. When Ajeet refused, he was beaten up badly. One such incident changed Ajeet’s life. He was critically injured by his father, which made him decide to leave his home and go to the city of opportunities, Delhi.

In year 2000 ticket less, hiding from the Ticket Examiner and police, Ajeet finally reached New Delhi railway station with much excitement and anxiety. And soon he realized that life in Delhi was not as he had thought to be but it would be much tougher than what it had been at home. Ajeet joined a group of peers in rag picking, begging, working in the tea stalls on and around the station.

In May, Ajeet caught the eye of Deepalaya’s social worker. At first it was difficult to strike up a conversation with him as he was fluent only in Bengali. However with some support, the social worker understood that the boy was a victim of circumstances and wanted to live like any other boy of his age. Ajeet took time to open up, but gradually he narrated his tale. When asked if he would like to attend school, a quick gleam rolls in his eyes. And this is how he reached Deepalaya’s Transit Home and into our hearts.

Shy and introvert by nature Ajeet took time to befriend the other children at the Home. He preferred to be by himself drawing pictures. He however took easily to the younger ones and used to help the caregivers in looking after them. Intense counseling by the caregivers revealed an alert mind curious to know everything. In very short time he was admitted to Deepalaya School at the campus. Very soon he revealed his interest in sports and dancing and in doing any electrical repair work. He is an ambitious lad and plans to become an electrical engineer in future.

Seeing his interest in studies, in the year 2001 Ajeet was admitted into a nearby Public School, DPS Mewat Model School in class Vth. And since then there has been no looking back for him. His progress at school; class Vth – 69%, VIIth – 76%, VIIIth – 66%, IXth – 50%, shows how hard he has been working to achieve his dreams. In addition he has regularly participated in various sports and art competitions. Some of his accomplishments in the field of sports are – 1st in High jump in School Sports Day (Nov ‘05), 2nd in Kho – Kho competition (Nov ‘06), 2nd in tug of war and the list goes on…

In 2007 Ajeet cleared his class Xth Board Examination with 50% which itself is an inspiration for others at Transit Home. Early this year, Ajeet expressed his desire to meet his family. Deepalaya was successful in locating the family and it was a tearful reunion in April 2007 when his father and uncle came to meet him. Ajeet went home and came back in two weeks. He was happy to be reunited with his family but it was Deepalaya where his heart was. He says, “I am happy to be reunited with my family but it is at Deepalaya where my future is secure”. He is still focused on becoming an electrical engineer.