Aadya’s Journey – A Story of Giving
Aadya is a 14-year-old girl who hopes to improve the world. She loves spending time with friends, playing sports, and being creative. Through Sambhali, Aadya has studied English and improved her understanding of Math and Hindi. Aadya has been a member of the Sambhali community for many years and hopes to support other girls through Sambhali Trust.
“My name is Aadya, I am 14 years old, and I was born in Setrawa, which is in the desert. I am one of seven siblings; I have four sisters and two brothers. I like drawing, painting, dancing, stitching, designing, and sports; I have many things I love.
I have a big family - and we had many financial problems. My father arranged for three of my sisters to get married when they were very young. One day, my father got sick; I don’t know what from. He was vomiting, and there was a lot of blood. We went to the hospital immediately, where the doctor took him to another room. After some time, the doctor came back and said that he was gone. My father died. After his death, all of the responsibility fell to my mother. A few weeks later, Sambhali Trust opened a center in my village. I learned that they teach children and women there for free. I started going to the center every day to study in the afternoons.
I liked going to the classes at Sambhali Trust. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed going to my other school that much. There, the teachers didn’t teach very well and ignored our needs. But, the teachers at Sambhali Trust were excellent; they gave us biscuits every day too! My teacher back then was Usha, she was very kind, and her classes were so much fun. Sometimes I had to stay at home to help my mother – and that’s when the teacher came to our house and told me that I should go to the center every day. She said: “If you go and study, you will become a good person in the future.”
Sambhali Trust has helped my family a lot - They gave my mother kitchen supplies and other gifts every time they came to our house. That time, in 2012, they opened a girls’ boarding home in Jodhpur, and the Sambhali team selected me to go there to have access to a better future. Now that I am here, I am learning many wonderful things.
“I am getting a good education and learning about creating good habits. I have many friends here too - I love the other girls at the boarding home a lot. We are a big community.”
After school, I want to work in a government-run office or as a fashion designer - and I think my mother will be happy about that. I remember my mother was unhappy when we had so many problems, and I said to her: “Please, don’t be sad. I will become a good person and I will study hard to get a job, so I will be able to support our family”. My mother smiled.
When I have a job and my income, I will do something for Sambhali Trust. I want to give back to those who have given my family and me so much, and I want to support other girls who have had similar struggles.”
- Aadya