Growing up in a small village in Jharkhand’s Bokaro district, Sarita knew the expectations for girls around her—finish school if you are lucky, marry early, and stay close to home. But she dared to choose a different path.

With her mother’s constant support, she completed Grade 12 and went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree, along with a diploma in Computer Applications. Reaching the nearest computer centre, which was 15 kilometres away, was a challenge, but Sarita taught herself to ride a bicycle and in a few days began commuting regularly with a friend. Her determination stood firm, even when her choices were questioned.

Through Sarita’s computer skills, many in her community benefitted. She started assisting people with pension forms and official documents. Then, in 2017, she came across Pratham’s General Duty Assistant (GDA) training program in Ranchi. It was rare for girls in her village to pursue such opportunities, but Sarita enrolled, eager to step into the health sector.

In 2018, she was placed at a nursing home in Delhi, earning Rs 18,000 a month. While working, she continued her studies, proving that learning and earning could go hand in hand.

A year later, when she heard that Pratham was seeking mentors, she returned to Bokaro, determined to guide others. “I remembered what it felt like to not know the next step. I wanted to be that guide,” she says.

Since then, Sarita has mentored dozens of young people and completed her B.Ed. Now 29, she is married and a mother, but remains committed to her work as a Mentor Leader at Pratham—rooted in her community and lighting the way for many others to follow.

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