This blog-a-thon submission comes from nineteen year old Fulla of ChildFund International. Fulla was enrolled in ChildFund programs in the mid-1990s, becoming a member of one of ChildFund India’s children’s clubs when she was 7, and later a youth club member. She united with other girls in the village and participated in social and cultural activities to spread awareness about hygienic practices, personal finance, environmental protection and adolescent health and behaviors.
 
She later completed her schooling and enrolled in a bachelor’s of arts program for three years. She also joined National Cadet Corps (NCC) and attained A & B certificates, which are preparation for entering national service. To access Fulla’s original blog follow this link.

I live with my parents, along with one sister and one brother. My father is a fisherman and has no land. We have a small house made of mud and wattle. My father manages our family by fishing in nearby river Daya. He sometimes goes to the lake Chilika, which is 30 kms (about 19 miles) distant from our village.

With this meager income it is difficult for my father to maintain our family. He has taken all the initiatives to provide us education. Although my father wanted to bring up my brother highly, the poor economic conditions of our family compelled my brother to give up his studies. He dropped his education after 10th grade and helped father in fishing. But I did not give up my hopes and continued my studies. I was able to complete my secondary education. I have also passed the NCC A & B certifications, which will help me a lot to find a job in the defense area.

During the devastating flood in 1999, we lost our new boat, which we had obtained through a bank loan and borrowing from local moneylenders. My father was depressed and panicked as to how he could clear up all the debts. My grandma died of grief. We got really harassed then. My brother and father set up their minds to go to a distant place for wages. I assured my father to keep patience and not to worry about our family.

I opened a tutoring centre at village community hall and earned a little, but it was insufficient to manage. One of my friends suggested I join in a prawn-processing plant. I had to work in a place far from my village to earn Rs. 3000 (US$66) per month that my father reluctantly allowed. The job compelled me to discontinue my studies. Moreover I sent Rs.2000 (US$45) per month to my family. I stayed there for one year. We were relieved when all our debts cleared.

One day my father urged me to return back and resume my studies. I got
embarrassed, because I thought that it is not the suitable time to
study. However I returned home and got readmitted in classes and
successfully passed the +3 examination [secondary school graduation].
Thereafter I joined in a computer course to get my post-graduate diploma
in computer applications.

In the meantime some of my relatives planned for my marriage, as I am
the eldest daughter of my family. But I decided not to marry till my
employment is finalized. I will have the burden to run our big family. I
have experienced how the moneylenders exploit the poor and downtrodden.
I am committed to struggle against unemployment and poverty.
I remain an optimist that I will get a good result worthy of my efforts and be able to be successful in my life.

Fulla, ChildFund International