My name is Abro Zehra. I am from Marth village of Chakwal. We are two sisters. My father divorced my mother when I was in fourth grade. He wanted sons and not the responsibilities of daughters. My father’s desire drove my mother out and left us two sisters at the mercy of others. We live with one of our aunts in the maternal grandparent’s house.

To support the household, my mother worked as a cleaner at a school in the village and washed and cleaned dishes in various houses in the village. It pays for our house. Inflation is high, so my mother works hard to meet her ends.

It seemed impossible for me to continue my education with all these issues. I often wondered how I could contribute to and support my mother. She is working day and night for us, but there are expenses. Not enough.

Then comes the idea that education is the way to progress. I got my education up to 5th class from the government school in the village. Many people from the village always helped us to pay for my education. Because only fees are waived in government schools, all other expenses have to be borne by them. But after that, I had to go to Bhagwal Government High School for further education. But financial matters were not allowed it

My mother said that teaching me was her dream, and she wanted to see my progress. They enrolled me in a government school in Bhagwal. But it was difficult to bear the cost. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, it became difficult to arrange for my school travel when I started going to school. Mother would sometimes borrow from someone to pay my rent, and sometimes my uncle begged the driver to pay me together the next month.

During this time, I learned about the monthly scholarship from Bedari. I told my story to Bedari during a meeting in the village. The Bedari team encouraged me and said my scholarship would reach me soon. After a few days, my rent started coming, and I could continue my education.