Ria's story
Fifteen-year-old Ria dreamt of becoming a beautician, but her mother couldn't afford her education. Everything changed the day she joined Railway Children India's Child Activity Centre.
Ria’s story
When 15-year-old Ria’s* alcoholic father abandoned the family, she lived with her mother and brother at her grandparents’ house.
But with only her mother’s income from working long, hard hours in a factory, the family struggled to afford household expenses – let alone the extra needed to send the children to school.
Ria faced the possibility she might have to give up her education.
That’s when she started attending the Child Activity Centre that Railway Children India (RCI) provides, and became part of the Power Girls – a group of teenagers from the Tulsi Nagar community who are determined to achieve their full potential and inspire others to do so.
The Power Girls meet every month at RCI’s Child Activity Centres to discuss challenges affecting the children in their community and to exchange aspirations.
Ria actively participates in every meeting. She’s learnt about self-awareness, menstrual hygiene and communication skills.
She’s also developed the confidence to educate others in the community so that more children like her get the chance to transform their futures.
RCI also linked Ria to a scholarship programme that now helps fund her education.
The power of education
To this day, Ria attends every meeting of the Power Girls.
She’s helping to educate other young people about the new topics she’s learnt about, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
Ria expressed her desire to enrol on a beautician course. She shared this with the RCI team, who helped her get admitted into a beautician training programme.
Ria completed a four-month course and received a certificate.
“Thank you, Railway Children India, for providing me with a safe space, bringing positive changes in my life, and helping me become self-motivated,” Ria said.
In the future, Ria wants to open her own salon and support children in her community who face similar struggles.
*Name changed to protect child’s identity.
