"Know Yourself, Change the World" - the golden words Anshu Kumari embraced from a session on "Identity" !

 

Anshu's story is about her strong determination and leadership in a rural village in Begusarai, Bihar. Despite facing challenges and traditional expectations, she showed great courage in creating her own path. Anshu is the only girl in her village who completed her graduation before marriage, choosing to pursue higher education despite financial difficulties. Her dreams go beyond the usual roles assigned to women in her community. In her recent reflection sharing, she shared about her village, education levels, aspirations of girls and women and her own ambitions. Through her note, one ca understand how- despite negative comments and pressure from villagers who believed she should marry early and focus on household duties, Anshu remained firm in breaking free from gender stereotypes. She didn't want to end up like her mother, who had an education but ended up working in the fields. Instead, she aimed to be recognized and set an example for other girls.

In 2023, Anshu joined the i-Saksham edu-leaders fellowship programme in Begusarai, which opened up new possibilities for her. Here she learned and gained a fresh understanding of her surroundings.

During a session on "Identity," Anshu's thoughts deeply impacted her fellow participants. She came to realize the importance of understanding one's own likes, dislikes, voice, and choices to set clear goals and remain true to oneself. 

Anshu shared, "It became a way of life for all the edu-leaders to appreciate differences and stay true to ourselves."

"पहचान" सत्र में हमारे अनुभव ने हमें हमारी पसंद और नापसंद को समझने में मदद की। हमारी आवाज़ और चुनौती को भी समझने का मौका मिला। हमारे लिए यह जानना महत्वपूर्ण था क्योंकि हमारी पसंदों को समझकर हम स्पष्ट लक्ष्य तय कर सकते हैं। हमारी पसंद दूसरों से अलग हो सकती हैं, और अगर हम समूह के दबाव में आकर अन्यायी काम करते हैं, तो हमारी असली पहचान को नुकसान हो सकता है, जिससे हमारे सफलता में कमी आ सकती है और हमारी आवाज़ और चुनौती का संक्षिप्त होना सकता है।"

[Our experience from the session yesterday on Identity was about understanding our likes and dislikes, including our voice and choice. It was essential for us to know more about ourselves because without knowing our preferences, we cannot set clear goals. Our likes might differ from others, and if we succumb to peer pressure, we may do things that don't align with our true selves, leading to a lack of success and a loss of our voice and choice] writes Anshu in her deep reflection note.

In her village, Anshu recognized the need to challenge harmful beliefs and practices that limit girls' opportunities, such as child marriage and menstrual taboos. Her vision of equality and empowerment resonated deeply with the fellowship, and they pledged to dismantle such customs and foster an inclusive society.

Anshu's leadership traits stand out through her strong determination, dedication to making a difference, and the positive influence she has had in her community in a short time. Her journey from a protected life at home to becoming a source of hope for other girls highlights the power of education and self-awareness to bring about meaningful change.

In the words of Anshu herself, "I aim to challenge harmful practices and beliefs, proving that girls are no less than boys in any aspect and to be the one people give an example of how a girl should be like - audacious, kind and ambitious despite all barriers."

While she was initially disregarded as a naive village girl by teachers and elders there, to be even being placed in the school to assist in teaching as part of her fellowship, she persisted and applied her fellowship learning in the classrooms. Her dedication and passion for education transformed the attitudes of her critics, who now respect her work in the school and community.

Anshu knows how fortunate she is to have her family's backing in her journey of learning, exploring, and growing as a person. Unlike many of her friends, her family doesn't rush to marry her off. Anshu strongly believes that proving the importance of education, freedom, and family support to the community and society around her is so crucial. This belief fuels her determination to make a positive impact and inspire other families with daughters to stand against societal pressures. She wants to influence parental mindsets and create a significant change in the lives of countless girls who face early school dropouts due to early marriages, and other societal expectations from girls. Her reflection reminds us that real leaders emerge when they bravely challenge the status quo and work towards a better future.

Anshu Kumari is from Begusarai Bihar, an Edu-leader from the 10th Cohort (2023) undergoing the i-Saksham edu-leaders' fellowship programme.

Bulbul proves that the pursuit of knowledge is limitless, irrespective of age! (Back to studies after 18 years)

"I am Bulbul Kumari, Batch-7 Edu-leader. I wanted to share my journey of education and empowerment. I got married in 2003, the same year I completed my 12th grade. My marriage took place in a family and society where education was lacking. No one in my family understood the importance of education when I expressed my desire to study. As a result, my studies were interrupted, and the family situation was not favorable. So, I suppressed my aspirations and became involved in household responsibilities, cutting off my connection with education. The desire to learn within me faded, but I still had a passion for teaching, so I started teaching the children around me.

In 2006, I got an opportunity to teach in a private school where I worked for a year. During that year, my mother passed away, which caused me immense sorrow. I left everything behind and isolated myself at home, disconnecting from the outside world.

In 2011, I had the chance to study in a residential school located in the mountains (Santhal region). However, the school only operated for 11 months before closing down. I found myself in the same situation as before, with no significant changes. Then one day, I received a call from a teacher at the school where I initially started teaching, suggesting that if I wasn't engaged in anything else, I should come and teach at their school. In 2017, I resumed teaching and continued for three years.

A significant change occurred in my life when everything seemed to come to a standstill. In 2020, Sanjay Bhaiya and Dharamveer Sir visited my house, and I joined i-Saksham. That was the most transformative moment of my life! After a few months, I noticed a change within myself. Teaching the children has always brought me happiness and contentment, something I had been doing for many years. However, I realized that my teaching methods were not correct. As I received intensive training during my fellowship, my self-confidence started to grow.

One day, during a session, I learned about IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), and a voice from within me said that I could start studying again. But I was afraid. It had been 18  long years since I left my studies, and I didn't know how I would resume my education. However, my husband encouraged me to study and pursue my certification. Along with him, my sister-in-law (elder to my husband) became my friend and provided great support. I would also like to express my gratitude to i-Saksham for becoming a platform that allowed me to restart my studies after almost 18 years. Currently, I am doing my graduation and I am enrolled in the second year of my Bachelor's degree."

- Bulbul Kumari, Gaya Bihar

i-Saksham Edu-leader Fellowship for the community change leaders like Bulbul Kumari is active in five districts of Bihar. The fellows undergo two years of transformative journey that builds their skills in three tracks - Personal, Educational, and Community Leadership. The program's three-pronged approach is well-rounded and comprehensive. Firstly, it focuses on enhancing the personal leadership capabilities of the selected fellows, which will not only empower them individually but also enable them to inspire others and lead effectively. This emphasis on personal growth and development is crucial for building strong leaders. Bulbul Kumari is an edu-leader from the 7th Cohort and they are going to graduate soon from the fellowship. Bulbul and other change leaders from the 7th and 8th cohort are fully equipped to create change in their communities and beyond.