Basti- Following the passing of her mother, Kailash Choudhary, a staunch advocate for girls' education, during the Covid pandemic, Garima Choudhary was determined to uphold her mother's beliefs. Kailash had always championed the cause of providing quality education to rural children, particularly girls, who often found themselves confined to household duties.
Today, the lower floor of Garima's two-storey house has been transformed into a bustling classroom, serving as a prominent educational hub for underprivileged boys and girls from the village, including those from Dalit and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. What's remarkable is that the children attending these classes do so without any financial burden, as Garima charges no fees for their education.
Beyond the confines of the village, the sounds of children reciting lessons and practicing their letters echo through the nearby areas every evening, a testament to the impact of Garima's initiative. As children enter the makeshift classroom, constructed within the confines of her home, or bid farewell for the day, one can hear their sweet voices affectionately addressing Garima as "Bua" (aunt), highlighting her close connection to the community.
Upon stepping inside Garima's home, visitors are greeted by an array of educational aids, including models of the solar system crafted by the children themselves, posters illustrating the planets, and large calendars adorned with diagrams of the human body. The meticulously arranged study tables and benches create an environment akin to that of a modern nursery school, underscoring the dedication to providing a quality learning experience. In essence, Garima's house has been transformed into a comprehensive classroom.
Situated approximately 12 km from the district headquarters of Basti in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, the remote village of Odawara is surrounded by numerous government and private schools. However, for children hailing from economically disadvantaged families, predominantly from the Dalit community, accessing quality education remains a challenge due to financial constraints.
Garima's house has become a sanctuary for these children, offering them everything they need for a quality education that they might otherwise be deprived of in expensive schools.
Chaudhary's commitment to her cause is bolstered by the steadfast support of her entire family, including her brothers, sister-in-law, sisters, and close friends, who form an advisory group dedicated to the continuous improvement and progress of their educational initiative. Some members of this advisory group reside in the district headquarters, providing valuable guidance to the management as needed.
Classes for the children typically run for about one and a half hours after 4 pm, accommodating approximately fifty students ranging from primary to high school levels, aged between 4 and 14-15 years. To ensure the smooth functioning of these classes, six dedicated teachers are employed, with Garima herself bearing the expenses and salaries of these educators.
Garima elucidates that her ultimate goal is to empower every child under her care to carve out a better future for themselves and their families, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty and challenges.
To this end, they provide not only education but also essential educational materials such as books, notebooks, pens, and, in some cases, even clothing. Garima fosters a nurturing environment by celebrating festivals with the children and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents in dancing and singing, thereby instilling confidence and a sense of belonging.
Reflecting on the barriers hindering girls' education in rural areas, Garima highlights the prevailing lack of prioritization of girls' education among most families, compounded by a lack of awareness of its significance for both individual empowerment and societal progress. Moreover, girls face discrimination vis-à-vis their brothers and are burdened with substantial household responsibilities, making it challenging to allocate sufficient time for studies.
She shares a poignant insight, “Most of our children are from underprivileged and low socio-economic backgrounds. Most of their fathers work as low-skilled workers in another big city. We have about 30 girls and 20 boys.”
In response to a query about the impact of 'Moma for Daughters' on rural girls' lives, Garima expresses hope that by enhancing the quality of education and fostering a safe environment, they can pave the way for a brighter future and increased life chances.
She emphasizes the transformative potential of education, stating, “If we can provide something to just one child per family, they will be able to break the wall of poverty and significantly improve the lives of the entire family. In a short period of three years, we already have some girls whose higher education and computer courses were sponsored, and now they are earning something, which is improving their lives and that of their parents.”
Moma for Daughters, also known as the Kailash Chaudhary Foundation, is an initiative established by Garima Chaudhary in memory of her parents, Dr. Ram Ganesh Chaudhary and Kailash Chaudhary.
The foundation aims to continue the philanthropic work initiated by Garima's parents in their ancestral village of Odwara, Basti district, Uttar Pradesh. Garima's parents were strong advocates of girls' education and empowerment, despite not having had the opportunity for formal education themselves.
Following the passing of her mother on Mother's Day in 2021 and her father in 2023, Garima established Moma for Daughters to honour their legacy and continue their efforts in providing educational opportunities to children from Dalit and marginalized communities.
The foundation's mission is to fulfill the dreams of every child in the village by supporting education and empowerment initiatives, thereby keeping alive the spirit and values cherished by Garima's parents.
Chaudhary highlights several challenges she faces with 'Moma for Daughters', notably the lack of awareness among parents regarding the importance of education for their children.
She mentions the difficulty in engaging parents in school activities and the scarcity of skilled teachers in rural areas as significant hurdles. Moreover, social stigma and skepticism towards their altruistic intentions add to the challenges.
Despite these obstacles, Garima emphasizes that she hasn't received any external financial support since the initiative's inception three years ago. She personally funds all expenses, including logistics, teacher salaries, and celebrations, as a testament to her lifelong commitment to realizing her parents' vision through Momma for Daughters, which operates under her father's NGO, Gramin Sahitya Vikas Samiti.
Garima Chaudhary, aged 41, was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, where her father served as a scientist with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). She pursued a career in software engineering, completing her B.Tech in 2006 from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Shortly after graduating, Garima joined Oracle, a renowned American multinational technology corporation, initially as a software engineer and later transitioning to sales engineering. She has since led teams and worked on projects spanning various countries, including Australia, Chile, and the United States.
Despite residing in the US, Garima manages 'Moma for Daughters' through daily video calls with her sister, who assists with management and communication with the children and teachers in India.
Leveraging the time difference, Garima stays updated on the initiative's activities and ensures its smooth operation from afar, earning her the affectionate title of 'bua' from the children she supports.
Story Translated by Geetha Sunil Pillai
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