Riya is the first in her family to go to college.
But before that, she was a girl with no teacher.
In her village in Khushipura, India, Riya had no teacher.
Many girls in rural India are enrolled in school, but only on paper. In reality, they are never assigned a teacher. No one shows up to guide them, and the likelihood that they will graduate high school diminishes more and more each day.
The result? Instead of studies, girls spend their time on chores, helping the family, farming, and preparing for marriage. Many still don’t believe girls deserve education or the power to define their own futures.
That’s why She’s the First teams up with grassroots organizations to make sure girls everywhere are educated, respected, and heard. In April 2023, Riya attended a reproductive health class in her village hosted by an STF Partner, Sahas Foundation. There, she finally met Purvi and Mona Yadav, sisters and founders dedicated to gender equity and girls’ rights in rural India.
Riya continued attending Sahas lessons and opening up about her story. Purvi and Mona listened to Riya. She was scared she would fail exams and never finish school, all because she didn’t have a teacher. Riya wasn't alone; other girls in the village were in the same situation.
In December, the sisters were inspired to expand their program, Sahasi Girls, to include an extracurricular education program to help vulnerable girls finish school. They found a teacher and enrolled 12 girls, including Riya.
“I got enrolled for the 12th grade class in the nearby school. Unfortunately, due to lack of teachers, no classes were held for us. I was sure that I would fail. Many girls junior to me were also facing challenges in their studies. We asked Purvi and Mona Didi to support us. To our surprise, they started Sahasi Girls for us, where a teacher was appointed to help us in our studies every day. Thanks to those classes and regular guidance, I passed the 12th grade board exams.”
Riya graduated high school with excellent grades in a community where many girls don’t even get an opportunity to take the exam.
But the work didn’t stop there. Riya was mentored by Sahas team members, Virendra Singh and Sarla ji, who both understood that Riya had big dreams for after high school. The next barrier she faced? Getting the men in her life on board with her dreams of a college education.
“After graduating, Sahas mentors Virendra Singh and Sarla ji both visited my house. They spoke to my parents again and again to let me go to college for further education. Currently, I am pursuing a BA from the college in Hardoi. I want to become a teacher to help girls like me continue their education.”
Riya is now the first person in her family to go to college. Riya’s mentors describe her as hard-working, passionate, and full of joy. She is an advocate and a leader for other girls in her community.
Girls have limitless potential when provided the same opportunities and resources as boys. It’s up to us to ensure girls like Riya aren’t held back.
Today is International Day of the Girl Child. Today’s the day to recommit to lifting up girls everywhere. On October 11, 2023, 12 girls in rural India had no teacher. Today, all of those girls have a teacher and one is a college student on her way to becoming a teacher herself. That’s the transformation you support when you donate to She’s the First.
Will you give today to ensure girls like Riya aren’t left behind?