I am Kavitha, aged 17, from the Kattu Nayakkar nomadic community. My parents go from one temple to another, wherever and whenever there are festivals, and sell fancy items. This is the only source of our income. Consequently, we cannot live in one place. We move as wanderers, pitch our tent around a temple for a few days, sell fancy items and move to another place. In this scenario, education is a luxury for us. Hardly anyone in our community can sustain schooling, even up to Class X. Some shift schools constantly.

With great difficulty, I completed Class XII. I wanted to study aeronautical engineering. There was a deep desire in me to pursue. In 2024, I attended the summer camp organised by IDEAS. A number of resource persons motivated us to pursue our studies. They emphasised that only education could change the course of our lives. During the career guidance sessions, I realised that I cannot take up aeronautical engineering as I did Commerce in Class XII. No one guided me on what subjects I should study in Class XI and XII to pursue aeronautical engineering. Our world is so limited that we have no one to guide us.

However, I told myself, I will study. I approached the camp organisers. They guided me to study sociology, which will suit my interests to serve our community. I am happy to share with you that currently, I am pursuing Sociology at Fatima College, Madurai. This is a new world, and I feel proud to be part of this prestigious institution.

“I have seen the motivation of Kavitha for a few years. Her enthusiasm level is high. But the socio-economic situation of the family is pathetic. They hardly have any property or savings. The family survives on daily labour. Despite all odds, it was heartening to witness the passion of Kavitha for studies. With the help of some people, we managed to admit her to Fatima College. She is determined to come up in life and help her community. I am confident that she will be an asset and a future leader of her community”, stated Priya, a trainer.

– Priya, Trainer