Gulshaba is a sixteen-year-old girl from Bhuraheri village. Life at home has never been easy. Her father suffers from chronic pain and struggles even to walk, making it very difficult for him to work. Her mother is also unwell battling thyroid issues, breathing problems, allergies, and low blood pressure. With both parents in poor health, the family has almost no steady income.
She has elder sisters who are not allowed to go out to earn due to restrictive social norms, while her younger brothers are too young to work. Managing a household without financial stability has always been a constant challenge for the family. Most days are filled with worry, tension, and arguments. Gulshaba felt as though her home had lost its peace and along with it, their dreams.
Because of her family’s situation, she had to drop out of school. There was simply no money for education. She recalls, “Watching other children walking to school every morning while I stayed behind was one of the most painful feelings. I cried often, feeling left behind and helpless. At times, the weight of everything felt so heavy that I lost hope completely.”
For almost a year, she felt stuck with no education, no opportunity, and no one to support her dreams.
Then something changed when Panth’s team conducted an awareness session in her village. Gulshaba expressed her strong desire to pursue her education. When Panth’s team reached out to her family, her grandmother initially strongly opposed the idea of her going back to school, believing that girls should not study and are meant only to do domestic chores. But the team, especially Rani and Raveena patiently spoke with the family. They explained why education for girls matters, not just for individuals, but for entire families and communities.
Slowly, things began to shift. Her parents, who had always wanted her to study but felt helpless, finally agreed. She was given a chance to return not just to school, but to hope.
She reflects, “Coming back and joining the remedial centre felt unfamiliar at first, but soon it became a safe and encouraging space. I met other girls, made friends, and began to believe in myself again.”
Today, she dares to dream again. She wants to build something of her own, an education centre where girls like her can find support, guidance, and encouragement. She also dreams of becoming a doctor, so she can provide free treatment to families who cannot afford healthcare, just like her own. With tear-filled eyes, she expresses, “Panth Foundation didn’t just help me return to school they gave me back my future. I share my story with the hope that more people will support girls’ education, and that girls like me will find the courage to keep going, no matter how difficult life may seem.”