How an autorickshaw driver made high school dreams possible for girls of Sumrasar

A story from Maro Awaaj

The literacy rate in Jat dominated Sumrasar village in Bhuj is just 30%, and the village school is only up to grade 8. After that, girls drop out. Hardly any of them make it all the way to college. And no one seemed to care. KMVS worked hard on changing attitudes; it dialogued with the entire village community. It spoke to women and girls - of safety, empowerment and education. Over two years, something seemed to shift. There was a readiness among families to let girls study beyond grade 8. There was a slow, growing excitement among the girls themselves.

This is a really short story, as the sweetest ones often are. An utterly simple tale, with a simple lesson. Do your bit, to make the change.

But a change in attitude did not change the disabling ecosystem. The nearest high school was located in neighboring village of Makhna, 12 km away; and the only bus service between the two villages did not match school timings. How would the girls go to school? Empowerment was becoming hostage to a missing bus service.

This is when a kind, elderly farmer stepped in and stepped up. Mamad Hussain, whose own children are grown up and married, decided to make high school possible for other daughters in his village.

His small autorickshaw, which supplements his agricultural income, became the vehicle for their dreams. He offered to put other work aside and drive the girls everyday to school in his auto, for a bare minimum fare. For the first time ever, girls from Sumrasar go out of the village to study. Seems small as victories go, but for these girls it is a triumph. Thanks to one person with a tiny autorickshaw but a very big heart.

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