As the holidays and new year approach, C2C is honored to present “From Struggle to Strength,” a series focusing on the personal stories of the girls we support. We invite you to celebrate these remarkable young women as they share their hopes, challenges, dreams, and accomplishments. Your support of our students and their limitless potential is deeply appreciated.
Tina
15-year-old Tina has been attending MSA for the past five years. She and her three sisters live with their parents and grandparents on a small plot of land where her father works as a farmer. Her mother is a homemaker but sometimes helps with the farming. Tina’s father is the family’s sole source of income, but the inconsistent income from farming makes it difficult to provide for basic needs.
Tina enjoys reading and cooking. She greatly appreciates the book collection at the school library and likes reading motivational books. She counts her parents and teachers as the people she most admires since they support her and help her grow as a person. “Being a student at MSA school makes me proud,” she says, “and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Tina’s path to her education also had some challenges. She found it difficult to transition from a Gujarati-medium school to an English-medium school in sixth grade because of the change in language.
“I overcame this challenge by putting in a lot of hard work and dedication,” she says. In addition to practicing reading and writing in English every day, she sought help from her English teacher and fellow students whenever she needed clarification and guidance.
Tina enjoys activities like drama, skits, speeches, quizzes, and games in English class. “Participating in speech and drama at our school has been one of my favorite memories,” she says. “It has allowed me to become a more confident and active participant, and I'm grateful for the experience.”
With aspirations to become a doctor and provide medical care to people in need, Tina says science is her favorite class. She is also grateful for the C2C Vedic math, English, and computer science classes.
“The C2C programs helped me develop new skills and become a more confident and well-rounded student,” she says. “...I’ve learned that with hard work and dedication, I can achieve my goals and become successful in life. I’m grateful to C2C for providing me with the opportunity to learn new skills and develop my talents. My special message is to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams and never give up on their goals. With the right mindset and support, anything is possible!”
Tina adds that her new skills have also improved her relationships with family, friends, and the community. “I’m better at expressing myself and sharing my thoughts and ideas with others, which has helped me build stronger connections with the people in my life,” she says. “…I would encourage (people) to support C2C’s mission to educate at-risk girls because it’s a great way to make a positive impact in the world and help others achieve their dreams.”
“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in C2C programs so far is the importance of education and the power it has to change lives,” Tina concludes. “I believe that education is a fundamental human right, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that shares this belief and is working to make it a reality for people all over the world.”
