Meenakshi says that hope is happening all around her and it’s changing her life and her world.
We might talk about ‘bringing’ hope to others, but
how do we make it happen in the lives of the people around us?
Here’s an inspiring story about hope finding its place in a marginalised slum community in Northern India – where a message of hope ignited a spark for a young girl to learn and to study, which changed her life and her family, and now impacts a new generation of children.
Meenakshi’s Story
Meenakshi is from a very poor family living in the Kotdwara slum community in Northern India. She is 22 years old and lives with her mother and younger brother. The family is presently mourning the loss of their father Mr Hukam Singh who suddenly died of a heart attack in March this year.
Hope happened quickly in Meenakshi’s life. When she decided to attend the Project Help India SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conference in 2017, she had little idea that her life would be transformed in such a powerful way. Meenakshi first attended SHINE and she had never experienced anything like it. The room was filled with 500 women. Meenakshi was nervous and wondered what it was all about. She remembers with fondness the women from Australia who spoke about having belief in yourself. They spoke about the future and having inner strength and courage to achieve your dreams. Meenakshi did not think this was possible for a woman. But it was the Director, Daisy Samuel who shared her life story about being a girl in a remote mountain village, who despite great adversity, Daisy’s convictions and faith gave her the determination to achieve her dream of attending school and university. Daisy’s message about a woman’s individual ‘uniqueness’ inspired Meenakshi to learn and study. Meenkashi worked hard to pay for her tuition fees. Her mother also attended SHINE and she wanted her to succeed.
Earlier this year Meenakshi graduated from university with a Masters in Sociology, with plans to leave Kotdwara to find a good job. But then the family was hit with the news of their father’s death. Being the eldest child, Meenakshi would have to get work quickly and become the chief breadwinner in the family. Meenakshi went to Daisy for guidance. It turned out that at the same time, Project Help was looking for a new employee - a teacher and office administrator. You might be able to guess who got the job … Meenakshi!
Meenakshi now teaches slum kids from her community. She knows many of the parents and understands the challenges they face. She cannot believe how she is now doing something that she never dreamt was possible. That first seed of hope that was planted in her heart and mind at SHINE in 2017 has grown, and Meenakshi says it is now her turn to bring hope to needy people and children.
Meenakshi has attended every SHINE Conference since 2017. She cannot believe that next time she will not be a delegate, but rather a member of the Project Help team, that brings this powerful message of hope to a crowded hall of women …she can’t wait!
Meenakshi says that hope is happening all around her and it’s changing her life and her world.
