Jyothi, a fellow of WWP for the past two years, describes the program as the backbone of her life—a support she never thought she would find. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and a relentless pursuit of education despite unimaginable hardships.
Having lost both her parents early on, Jyothi grew up under the shelter of her grandmother. Life, however, grew harsher when her father’s divorced sister moved into the same house. What should have been a place of safety soon turned into a space of abuse and mistreatment. Isolated, exhausted, and burdened by constant ill-treatment from her aunt, grandmother, and even her cousins, Jyothi fled home while still in 8th grade. Confused and heartbroken, she sat outside her school, unsure of her next step. In desperation, she called her teacher for help. Though unable to provide her shelter, the teacher reached out to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which intervened with counseling for her family. But despite official warnings, the abuse continued. She was denied education, branded a troublemaker by her family, and eventually pushed into working as a maid. When CWC discovered her situation during an inspection, Jyothi was rescued and placed in APSA. There, she joined a bridge school, re-entering her education journey. Step by step, she completed her 8th, 9th, and 10th grades, and later her 12th in commerce. Yet, as APSA did not have an aftercare program, Jyothi was sent back to her grandmother’s home—this time deeply fearful of losing her dream of higher education.
It was then that WWP came into her life—a guiding light at the right time. Introduced to the program through APSA, Jyothi was selected as a fellow. Initially, trust did not come easy; after years of betrayal and hardship, she was doubtful of WWP too. But with consistent one-on-one support and mentoring, she began to rebuild her faith. With WWP’s encouragement, she not only pursued her degree but completed it with first class honors.
Today, Jyothi is a symbol of courage and self-belief. She works part-time while preparing for banking exams, determined to secure a stable career in the sector. Most importantly, she has found her voice. Standing tall before the same family that once silenced her, Jyothi now asserts her right to dignity and respect. She even contributes ₹8,000 from her earnings towards her grandmother’s care—not out of obligation, but as a choice that reflects her strength and independence. Jyothi’s journey is not just about escaping the shadows of abuse—it is about redefining herself as a confident, independent young woman who dares to dream, decide, and live life on her own terms.
