Alfina and Naznin Bhayani are two sisters who came to the Samerth’s Shastrinagar centre. They were 6 and 8 years old respectively when they first came to Samerth. They have never been to a school or aganwadi and could not read or write. Their father works at a petrol pump as night watchman and their mother is a housewife. They also have two younger brothers. Both the parents too have never been to school. The Bhayani family had migrated from Rajkot about four years ago, the girls stayed at home and helped their mother in household chores.
Once they started coming to the centre, they started developing interest in learning. They were great at poem reciting, picked colors and shapes quickly. At the starting of academic year when their centre teacher suggested them enrolling into school – the girls as well as their parents were reluctant. They felt it would be difficult for them to cope – as they would be first generation learners. The Teachers at Samerth Center motivated them, assured them of regular support. They also attended the summer camp organised by Samerth which is organised for children who still found it difficult to reach the nursery level. The camp boosted their confidence, the girls performed extremely well in the camp. Immediately after the camp, they enrolled into school both in grade 1. Both the girls are still attending Samerth’s centre and currently in grade 2 and have bloomed into inquisitive learners. They are now coping well in grade 2 and are confident of continuing their studies
