Sona Waghela, a 13 year old girl, is now a promising student of the non formal education class at B ward. When Door Step School first entered the community 3 years ago, Sona, was a housekeeper for her family. She was expected to handle all the daily chores that went were needed to run a home.

When the class was started for out of school children in the community, it took a lot of convincing before her parents allowed her to attend that class. Her family comes from an extremely conservative community among who it is understood that the place of a young adolescent girl is in her home and helping her mother.

On seeing that the classroom was so close to their home the parents finally agreed to let Sona come for a couple of hours. For Sona it was a new and enlightening experience. Her being able to spend time with other children was as much a part of it as the initiation into the teaching learning process. Hearing her speak and articulate herself so clearly, as well as influencing the opinion of others in her groups goes to show that she has a lot of potential.

She grabs every opportunity given to her and makes the most of it, whether it is a competition,a science exhibition or excursion. To see her participate in an interaction arranged for the adolescent girls from Door Step School classes with women achievers on the eve of International Women’s Day was a revelation.