A Ray Of Hope Through Collective Community Support

Village Gondivalasa in Araku Valley Mandal in Visakhapatnam is located around 15 kms. away from the Mandal head quarter. This village is inhabited by a primitive tribal group (the most backward tribal group). In this village, lives Tangula Gurubari, a 10 year old Nanhi Kali, studying in class 4. She comes from a very poor family, with 2 brothers and a sister and her parents are illiterate. The main sources of income for the family are from the forest (Non Timber Forest products) and daily labour. Tangula is very  active and fares well in studies and extracurricular activities. In fact, she has been selected as the leader of Library club in her school. Tangula loves reading books and motivates her friends to read too.

On completion of her studies in class 4, she had to discontinue her studies due to the sudden demise of her mother. Being the eldest in the family, she was forced to support her father. Though she was interested in continuing her studies, her father was not interested in sending her to school. Initial efforts to counsel her father failed and hence, a village level meeting was organized. In the meeting, as a result of the combined efforts of community leaders and Naandi field personnel, her father was made to understand and he finally agreed to send Tangula to school. The community has agreed to extend all possible support to the family. She is back in school with her friends and in Aug. 2007 she received the second Nanhi Kali kit for the second year. Tangula aspires to study further and become a teacher and impart knowledge among children!