Winning against all odds

Updated on: Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Velankanni's feat is record breaking. You may wonder what she has done. Velankanni is from the Narikoravar tribe and as a rule the people of that community do not send their children to school.

But Velankanni has made a difference. She has today completed her Std. X and hopes to continue her education. When she was in Std. VI she began studying in Avvai Home. At that time, other children her age in her community had already decided to give up their studies.

Her initial days at Avvai Home were difficult. On the day of admission, she noticed how other students and adults exchanged looks of surprise when they saw her. She braved all this and tried to settle down at school. Soon she made friends.

Velankanni found lessons rather difficult as she could only read a few lines and do some basic math sums. She was far behind her classmates and needed extra coaching in all her subjects. There was a lot of distraction at home and community's life did not help either. She failed in Std VII and almost gave up her studies. But then she decided to join the hostel. It was a courageous step taken by her family, as this was contrary to the thinking of the community.

Velankanni worked hard and put in extra effort in the evenings and during weekends. Sometimes she despaired that though she was the last to sleep in the hostel she still couldn't get things right. But soon, her efforts paid off .

The most trying periods was the Thiruvizha seasons, functions and festival occasions, when the community is always on the move. It was tough for the family not to have Velankanni with them. It was not easy for Velankanni either because she knew she was missing all the excitement. But the sacrifices she made were not in vain.

The step that Velankanni's family took has influenced the attitude to education in her community, particularly for girls. Parents now wanted their children to study like Velankanni. Normally they took their children out of school once they had completed Std. V.

Currently 12 gypsy children from Thiruvanmiyur area continuing their education in middle schools. However Velankanni is the first child (among boys and girls) to have completed Std. X from the Thiruvanmiyur Narikorava community.

Winning against all odds

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