Hope in the Unlikeliest of Places

I would like you to meet Bhagya, an inspiration to us at Heart of the Bride. She is an example of God’s intervention and one young person’s drive to change their destiny.

Bhagya was born the second of four children to a family fighting to survive in the slums of India. Her situation grew worse in her second grade year when her mother ran away. Out of desperation, Bhagya’s father forced her to drop out of school to care for their home and take care of her siblings so that he could work. Her dream to go to school and get an education was crushed. She was all alone and felt helpless.

That’s when a friend told her about Nirkshea School (Nirikshea means “hope”). In recent years, they have piloted a program called “Adhyayan” (Learning) specifically for older children who dropped out of school in the past but want to complete their education. Her father was initially hesitant because she was then 16 years old and doubted that she could catch up. But Bhagya was persistent. After much pleading he gave into her.

Nirikshea staff still remember the day she came to them nervous, fearful, and desperate to study. They had not encountered a situation this extreme and realized that it was a high risk circumstance they would be taking on. They did not know what to expect but prayed fervently and sensed that God was prodding them to accept her into the program. Bhagya did not waste her chance but studied hard and worked diligently. After only one year, she earned a spot in the 10th grade class of the online school program at Nirikshea, a very demanding course of study.

It gives us great joy to share that she has completed her 10th grade year successfully! As you can see on her face, her joy knows no bounds. Her teachers joined in her celebration and were overjoyed to see this story come to life.