She is now a social being – Anopi’s story

“I want to study and become a teacher. I liked Sumanji who taught me in primary school”. These are the words of 16 year old Anopi of Jamba village when she met Doosra Dashak field worker Amru. Anopi has 4 sisters and 2 brothers. She is oldest of them. Her father works as daily wage worker. She completed primary education from the primary school of her dhani (small hamlet). Her parents did not allow her to continue her education. During 1 year that she did not go to school she kept persuading her father to allow her to join local middle school. Eventually her father agreed, but she had to discontinue her studies after grade VII.

That was when she came in contact with field workers of Doosra Dashak. As a result, she participated in a life skills oriented induction courses, after which she became a member of the adolescent forum. She now talks with the village community about social evils and village sanitation. When malaria spread in her hamlet and neibouring villages after the last rainy season, Anopi, along with 5 other members of the Adolescent Forum visited practically all the 55 households and ascertained the position about persons suffering from malaria. Along with her colleagues she put mustard oil in the water tank and got blood test done in respect of 5 children. She maintains a daily diary in which she records her activities.

Education and health survey was undertaken in her hamlet. She played a leadership role. She was inspired because most of the adolescent boys and several girls are addicted to smoking, consumption of tobacco, and even opium and liquor. She is deeply disturbed by these and therefore used the survey to talk with young persons and their parents about the dangers of addiction. During survey she found that only a small number of children had been immunized and none of the 8 pregnant women had any immunization. She ensured that all children and 6 pregnant women were provided immunization.

From a sulky, lonely and awkward girl, Anopi is now liked and respected in her community.