Story of Change: Anitha transforms from participant to changemaker!

Anitha is an 18 year old girl currently pursuing her graduation in Arts and a Dream A Dream Graduate. She is also the first female field coordinator at Dream A Dream.

 

Anitha's life took a different turn when she joined the Dream A Dream programs in 2007, at the age of 15. Today she is a different person, a striving inspired individual. When she joined our programs, she was a short tempered, stubborn and irritable child, with a very rigid mind, unaccepting of suggestions or corrections. But today she confesses with pride that “I used to make mistakes, but was not ready to accept it…after understanding what is right and wrong during the reflection circle, I decided to change because I realized that I was hurting others without thinking”. The reflection circles after the program sessions changed her outlook completely. Today she is open to suggestions. In fact she confides and asks for suggestions, considers the pros and cons before acting upon it. She has been a part of the Dream Sports programs, the camps and the Fundays conducted by Dream A Dream.

 

Looking back at her life when she decided to quit studying after her under-graduate program, Anitha says, “Since English was difficult I did not want to study further. After going to the DreamConnect Center my mind changed in just one day. I decided that I should continue with my studies and get a good job like others. I also became confident that I could learn English easily. These sessions will be useful in improving my life style.”

 

She is pursuing her graduation today and has resisted her family’s decision to get her a job at the same garment factory where her mother works. She also motivates her two younger sisters to study further. Her father is a rickshaw driver. Thus, to support her family, she is currently working as a part time field coordinator for the Dream Sports Program. Anitha says, “I like mingling with children. I can talk to them like a friend and help them learn life skills”.