International Women's Day: Championing change

For International Women's Day, we're shining a light on one of our young Community Champions in India, Aamna, who is an inspiration to young people and families in her community.

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Meet Aamna, who is an inspiration to young people and families in her community.

Date: 8th March 2024

A leader in her community

At just 21 years old, Aamna has become the trusted ‘go-to’ person for families in her local community who need support with their children’s wellbeing and education.

As well as volunteering in a Child Activity Centre and doing community outreach work in vulnerable communities adjoining Delhi’s railway stations, she has recently enrolled in college to study a bachelor’s in social work – something she never thought would have been possible 18 months ago.

Before working with Railway Children India, Aamna’s day-to-day involved helping with household chores while living with her parents and seven siblings – a common way of life for girls from underprivileged families in India.

After struggling to pursue formal education, she didn’t see much of a future for herself outside of domestic work until she met one of our community outreach workers last year.

community champion in India supporting vulnerable young children.

“When I started attending awareness sessions in my local community, I had a fear of speaking and wouldn’t share my opinion at all. But since the community worker asked me to work with Railway Children India, I’ve seen a huge change in myself. Interacting with community members and children has made me much more confident. Now, I speak what’s on my mind and I’m able to guide the parents and children I work with.”

Raising awareness about education

As well as her own personal growth, Aamna has seen a significant change in the behaviour and attitudes of her community.

“At first, both the parents and children were reluctant to come to the Activity Centre. There were children roaming around the streets aimlessly and they didn’t respect their elders. They would curse each other a lot – it’s as if they weren’t really being brought up by anyone,” she said.

But through raising awareness of the importance of education, Aamna has noticed that the parents have become more proactive and will now come to her for advice and support. The Activity Centre is a safe space for these families, where many of the children who were previously out of school, come to learn and play and parents benefit from a vital support network.

Alongside volunteering at the Activity Centre, Aamna goes out into her local community to help families with challenges they may be facing, whether it’s connecting them with available government schemes, securing birth certificates or supporting with school admissions.

Community champion working with vulnerable children

Pursuing her passion

Aamna’s biggest achievement while working as a community volunteer was supporting a mother to enrol her three children into school.

“When they moved here, the mother was very hesitant and didn’t want her children to have an education, but I spoke to her every day and convinced her to send them to the Activity Centre. The children improved so quickly, and it became so important to them that it pushed her to send them to school straight away. They have just graduated their first year and I’m so proud to see them thriving,” she said.

Looking to the future, Aamna hopes to continue pursuing her passion for working with children and families in the community and is grateful for the support from Railway Children India.

“Now, I’m going to college, and I can build my future. One day, I hope to be in a high position in the social workspace and continue to give back to my community. I never thought this would be possible – working with Railway Children India has meant that I can have dreams.”