Speaking up for Saaji
Knowing how vital education is for a girl’s future, when Saaji’s* parents pulled her out of school, her best friend, Suman*, knew she had to act.
MEET SUMAN
Every morning, Suman and her best friend, Saaji, walked to school together, chatting, laughing and sharing their dreams.
Then one day, Saaji didn’t show up. Or the next…
Too old for school
When Suman called on Saaji to find out why, she discovered that, at 14, Saaji’s father considered her too old to continue studying.
Over the next few days, Suman couldn’t stop thinking about her friend.
Through her training as part of Railway Children India’s (RCI) peer leadership programme, Suman knew the importance of education and the opportunities it could unlock.
So she returned to Saaji’s home and, this time, asked to speak with her parents.
Advocating for change
Respectfully, Suman explained to Saaji’s parents how education helps girls grow in confidence and independence, equipping them to provide secure futures for themselves and their families.
She also shared stories from her RCI meetings of other parents who encouraged their daughters to continue studying – and how it had changed their lives for the better.
At first, Saaji’s parents hesitated. But Suman didn’t give up.
A week later, Saaji was back – walking to school beside her friend once more.
Transformative joy
Being reunited at school wasn’t just a moment of joy for Suman and Saaji, it was proof of what peer learning and child leadership can achieve.
Across India, young people are combining passion, conviction and courage with our training, encouragement and support to transform not just their own lives but whole communities.
And as more lives are transformed, the message spreads.
Give a gift today and empower more children like Suman to transform their communities
£50 could run a Child Activity Centre in a slum community in India for a month – helping reach vulnerable children and train peer leaders.
