Sania's journey from a remote village in Himachal Pradesh to a college classroom by 2024 is a testament to her perseverance and remarkable growth. Her parents were very supportive of her getting educated but as daily wagers, they faced financial instability and limited resources.

Sania wanted to overcome the challenges of her circumstances, but she struggled with foundational skills, such as reading letters and numbers. This left her feeling isolated in the classroom as she lagged behind her peers.

In 2016, when she was in Grade 3, she was enrolled in the Read India program. Under this program, Pratham conducted learning camps to provide intensive bursts of remedial education in language and mathematics for children in Grades 3-5. These camps were conducted in bursts of 8 to 10 days and spread over 50 days, depending on the child's learning level, which aimed at ensuring that children are able to read and do basic math confidently so that children can participate in their grade-level classroom.  

Sania was confident in speaking Hindi, but reading felt like a daunting task to her. “I used to be afraid of teachers and studies, but then a madam from Pratham came who taught me through games and recited poems. She taught me how to form words from letters and organised activities in class. That's when I started enjoying studying and was able to read Hindi words because Pratham taught me the alphabets,” Sania recalls her time during the Read India program. 

These fun-based learning activities enhanced Sania’s academic performance, boosting her confidence in school. She scored 72% in Grade 10 and 66% in Grade 12 in 2024. Now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in arts with a major in history, Sania aspires to become a teacher so that she can help other students overcome the same challenges she once faced.

Sania’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support and determination, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome, unlocking a brighter future.