Sarita Kumari's journey of perseverance and determination has become a beacon of change in her small village in Jharkhand. Defying societal norms that dictated young women should focus solely on marriage, Sarita, then 22, chose to pursue education and a career, becoming an inspiration for many in her community.

Her journey with Pratham began in 2017, when her father learned about the General Duty Assistant (GDA) training program. He, however, did not inform Sarita about the opportunity, instead encouraging her sister and niece to join. Upon discovering this, with the support of her mother, she enrolled in the GDA program at a Pratham Skilling Centre in Ranchi, setting out to chart her own path.

Pratham’s GDA program equipped Sarita with skills that helped her secure a job at a Delhi-based health services agency, enabling her to support her family financially. Despite this achievement, she continued her education and, along with her job, pursued a master’s degree in Hindi through an open university.

Encouraged by Sarita’s accomplishments, many young women in her village enrolled in different skilling courses offered at Pratham’s Skilling Centres.

Today, at 29, Sarita serves as a Mentor Leader at Pratham, guiding others in her village to break free from societal constraints and follow their aspirations. Her journey has not only transformed her own life but also sparked a wave of change in her village, where more girls and women now see a future beyond traditional expectations.

Sarita's story is a testament to the transformative power of learning and skill development. It highlights how the right opportunities can empower individuals, reshape communities, and ignite lasting change.

Click here to know more : https://youtu.be/sOR8V39-gcc