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Rekha's immense struggle for education

Published : Saturday, 18 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 3428
In a small, remote village, Swapnanagar- 45 kilometers away from the nearest city- a young woman named Rekha Dash was born. Her village, isolated from the winds of urbanization and progress, carried the scars of social prejudice and the label "untouchable," a remnant of a caste system that is still exploited today. The world around Swapnanagar seemed to conspire to keep the villagers down. But Rekha, a headstrong and determined girl, would not let this label define her.

In 2004, two young students, with little more than a dream and a vision, established a small informal academy in the Swapnanagar. It was not much-a single teacher in an abandoned tea factory turned makeshift classroom-but it was enough to awaken the thirst for education among the village's youth. Rekha was one of the first students to walk through its humble doors, her eyes set on a future beyond the borders of her village.

Despite the challenges of finance and the constant struggle to maintain the school, the villagers came together. They didn't have money to pay for education, so they paid with their hands. They labored, transforming the empty, deserted building into a place of hope. Swapnanagar Bidyaniketan was born from the villagers'determination and with the financial help of Aurko- a registered nonprofit organization in the United States.

Rekha's educational journey was not an easy one. After completing her studies at Swapnanagar Bidyaniketan till grade 5, she faced the daunting task of leaving her village daily to continue her education at a distant high school. This was no ordinary decision; for generations, the boys in her village left school after grade 5 to join the workforce, while the girls were trapped in the cycle of child marriage. Rekha saw a different future for herself-a future that wasn't dictated by poverty or tradition, but by her own will to learn.

Between the ages of 12 and 18, Rekha rejected three marriage proposals, each time with the unwavering support of her teachers. But her defiance of tradition came at a cost. Every day, she walked miles to school, enduring harassment, and mockery simply for daring to dream of an education. When she returned home, she didn't rest. She took care of her younger siblings, helped her family, and still managed to study. Every obstacle, from household chores to financial struggles, was a test of her resilience.

Rekha never faltered. She pressed on, choosing to study the rigorous science subjects for her 10th and 12th board exams, even though resources and assistance were scarce. Soon, with little more than her books and will power, she became the first woman in her community to excel in these exams, shattering the labels that held the villagers down for so long. Rekha's success was not just her own; it was a beacon of hope for the youth in her village, a message that education was not beyond their reach.
Rekha's story did not end with high school. She set her sights on something even greater. Through sheer hard work and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, she earned a place at the prestigious institution- Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Here, Rekha began her undergraduate studies, and her ambitions continued to grow.

She is currently studying for a degree in public health and wishes to give back to the community that helped her break free from the shackles that were assigned to her at birth. She actively volunteers at Swapnanagar Bidyaniketan to teach and inspire other young children to attain higher education.

Rekha Dash, a girl once bound by the labels of her birth, has now transformed into a symbol of hope and empowerment. She has proven that her identity is not defined by her caste or her village but by her intellect, her grit, and her unwavering belief in the power of education.

Rekha's journey is far from over. But one thing is certain: she has broken free from the chains of the past, and with every step she takes, she carries her village with her, toward a brighter, more equal future


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