Ritanjali (34) from Odisha is a mother and homemaker who has been juggling these roles with all her heart for years. But there was a simmering desire to do more and take on roles beyond her family and household.

The first opportunity came to her in 2018 when her younger son started going to Anganwadi. Ritanjali joined Pratham’s Mothers’ Group. Sitting with other mothers and exchanging ideas on how to support their children’s learning rekindled something in her. She soon became the group’s leader, regularly sharing Pratham’s activities and videos and attending meetings. She also contributed to Children’s Clubs, where children in Grades 3-8 come together in groups to strengthen their reading and math skills. Determined to stay involved, she even bought a smartphone and taught herself how to use it.

Another turning point in her life came when she enrolled in a beauty course through Pratham’s volunteer initiative Education for Education (EfE) in 2022. After passing the skill test, she began offering services in nearby villages and later expanded her business by investing in more equipment. But her long-held dream of finishing school still lingered. She had dropped out of school after failing Grade 10. When she learned about the Second Chance program, which helps older girls and women complete their secondary education, she enrolled as a remote learner in 2023.

Ritanjali successfully passed her Grade 10 exams in March 2024 and is pursuing further studies. She also runs her own beauty parlour near her home and earns over Rs 10,000 a month.

“The path to change wasn’t easy, but with learning, skill, and belief in myself, I have achieved what once seemed impossible,” she says.