(Bathili) In Srikakulam District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in south-eastern India, lies the small village of Bathili, where Athalya, almost thirteen years old and the youngest of four sisters, lives.
She attends 8th grade at Canossa English Medium School in Bathili and is a very promising student, studious and clear about her goals.
Orphaned of her father, she lives with her mother and sisters in a humble home without any essential services. After her father’s death, her grandparents supported the family for as long as they were able, but they are no longer in a position to do so.
This means that her mother, with great effort and sacrifice, now has to take full responsibility for everything in order to provide for herself and her daughters. However, her poorly paid work as a labourer does not generate enough income to meet all their basic needs.
Because of the family’s extreme poverty, none of her other sisters has been able to study.
Sr. Jaya, the local contact person for the Sponsorships programme, says that despite the sad reality of the environment she comes from, Athalya is not influenced by those around her and remains focused on her goal: to create a real opportunity that will allow her to help her family.
She is a gentle, calm girl who is fortunately in good health, and for her the chance to study is a precious gift worth more than anything else.
Supporting less fortunate children so that they can be better off, helping them grow strong, feel loved, and above all giving them a real chance in life, is not impossible. With a small but precious gesture, one can truly make a difference.
Support the Canossian Foundation VOICA – ETS and the work of the Canossian Mothers in South-East India.
Thank you, on behalf of Sr. Jaya, Athalya, and all the boys and girls who will be able to count on your help.
India – My name is Athalya, and my deepest wish is to help my family
