When our field worker Lavanya first met Meena's mother in 2024, the decision had more or less been made. The high school was six kilometres away, Meena's father worked nights, and someone had to be home for the two younger boys.
The scholarship covered fees, books and two uniforms. The bicycle covered the six kilometres. The evening learning centre — where Meena now does her homework with twenty other girls and a tutor who was a scholar herself — covered the rest.
“I want to be the teacher who tells girls they are good at maths.”— Meena, 14
This term Meena came first in her class in mathematics. She brought her report card to the learning centre before she took it home.
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