Mangeeta is sponsored by Chantelle.
During my “annual audit of sponsorship” trip in May 2018 I became aware of one child; Mangeeta who didn’t seem to be progressing through education and (on the face of it) had lost interest, choosing to leave and her place at Kastorba Government school in Harriya. Subsequently her Wings for Little Minds (WFLM) sponsorship was cut.
As part of my commitment to sponsors to ensure that your money is used in the right way and my commitment to the children, I wanted to explore why Mangeeta had left school so arranged a visit to her family home.
Whilst visiting the family it quickly became clear that Mangeeta had lost the sight in her right eye when she was around 10 years old. With limited sight, Mangeeta was struggling to follow her class work and hence dropped behind to the point where she gave up. To make matters worse, the cut in financial support (cash was given before, because she was attending the free government school) added to her hardship.
It also became clear that her family were ambivalent to Mangeeta’s education and “didn’t care if she attended or not”, offering her no guidance or motivation to continue.
Her father had left to live with another woman in Delhi and her older brother was also away working in Delhi. Her mother has had no education herself and does not see any benefit in it.
She had also never seen a doctor about her condition. I offered her mother WFLM support in getting Mangeeta to an eye hospital to explore the possibility of regaining her sight. However, her mother did not agree to this not trusting the offer nor any doctor.
Not giving up...
Eager to help I wanted to explore a practical way WFLM could help Mangeeta, given her exceptional circumstances. After a lot of thought, searching and organising a new sewing class was set up in the village. WFLM provided; a sewing machine, some scissors, measuring tapes and sewing materials. The classes started in July 2018 and are held every Sunday. They are run by two knowledgeable girls from the village; Annu and Sonya who are paid 500 Rupees per week (about £6.00) to provide teaching and coaching for 2 x hourly classes, as well as providing me with reports and picture of those that attend. Mangeeta together with eight other girls attended each week learning valuable sewing skills.
Many more children showed a keen interest and wanted to attend but the ones selected were those who had none or little schooling, and are from a disadvantaged background.
Six months on...
In January 2019 I reviewed the progress of the sewing class and the students. Five of the girls (including Mangeeta) attend regularly and are showing good progress in their sewing skills. So far they have made themselves a dress and a few other personal garments. They were rewarded with cash to purchase material to make further clothes.
Doctor’s report...
With regards to Mangeeta’s health, in January 2019 I made another attempt to help as once again Mangeeta’s mother did not commit to sending her for a check-up. I also called her older brother in Delhi, who said it was “neither his decision nor problem”. Sadly in a society where 100% of effort is on day to day survival, it would appear that no empathy is left for others.
Meanwhile, Mangeeta’s father had left his girlfriend and returned home. He was trying to earn a living selling vegetables from a tray fitted to a bicycle and positioned himself at the village crossroad. Discussing and recommending that Mangeeta see an eye specialist resulted in a promise from him to take her by bus to the eye hospital in Ayodhya (about 30 miles away).
Sadly, the prognosis is not good. After speaking with Dr. Praveer Kumar (at the Ayodhya Eye Hospital) he said that there is no sight at all in her right eye and the only possibility is a cornea transplant. He warned that there is a very small chance of success - around 2-5%. Further, he would not recommend the operation because even if it was successful, there is still the unknown damage of her retina and he cannot tell at this stage what condition they will find it in once and cornea is transplanted.
Practical help...
WFLM’s hopeful wish of helping Mangeeta with her sight has come to the end of the road and she will have to live with her condition. At least she has triggered the setting up of a sewing class which her and others can benefit from. Now all that can be done is to help her gain some practical skills that will help her to make some sort of a bearable future.
Please wait...