Life story

Pregati, 4 years old

Pragati has been an orphan since birth; her mother died giving birth.

Her story

A birth marked by tragedy

In India, it is not uncommon for the deplorable conditions surrounding childbirth to lead to such a tragedy. Nor is it rare for a father to abandon his child or his responsibilities, especially when the child is a girl. Sadly, this was the case for Pragati. Fortunately, her grandparents took her in, and every morning her grandfather walks his granddaughter to school, enduring scornful looks and mockery. After class, he waits patiently to escort her back to the Pune slum where members of their caste—the Dalits, or Untouchables—live.

Education as an act of silent revolt

Despite meager resources and daily hardship, her grandparents make Pragati’s education an absolute priority—an act of silent rebellion against a system designed to exclude her. They shaved their granddaughter’s head not out of a whim, but out of necessity, for reasons of hygiene and cleanliness.

Rayon of Aasha, a light for the future

Thanks to Rayon of Aasha, Pragati has found a school. Welcomed with care and respect, she is gaining the tools she needs to grow and become an educated, independent young woman confident in her future.

Life is even harder for girls in this part of the world, but as is well known in India: hope is a battle.

First

School year

365

CHF per school year

First

Supported child

The castes

India is now the most populous country in the world, with over 1.4 billion inhabitants. Despite significant economic growth, a large portion of the population still lives in precarious conditions. The caste system, although officially banned by the Constitution since 1950, continues to exert a strong influence on society. Dalits—formerly known as “Untouchables”—make up approximately 16–17% of the population and remain among the communities most vulnerable to poverty and discrimination. For many low-income families, education remains the only real hope for permanently escaping poverty.

Despite state-mandated quotas in universities, public sector jobs, and politics, discrimination persists, and thousands of incidents of caste-based violence are still recorded each year. However, in major cities and among younger generations, caste boundaries are gradually beginning to blur.

Your support

Thanks to your support, we stand alongside Pragati’s grandparents, the various families, and the teaching staff. Sometimes the wind blows hard and the flame flickers precariously, but even when bent, the back of someone striving to improve their life can bear the weight of the world.

Aider Pregati