Kajal Raidas

Kajal Raidas

Kajal joined Kadam in 2018, when she was 16 years old. Her father died of high diabetes. She dropped her education right after her father died. With no other option, her mother stared working at the vegetable market. She lifts the vegetable baskets, which falls in the labor category. Kajal’s mother works very hard, but it is difficult to meet the ends. She has an elder brother who works as a gardener at Taj hotel currently. Hence, the expenses are taken care of for now.

Kajal started as a drop out student 2 years back. Initially, she attended classes at KRCG on regular basis. Post lockdown, she continued to study via video calls on the tablet that is assigned to her. She is preparing for 10th GBSE board exams. Although, she works hard academically, she finds it difficult to grasp. Regular assistance has helped her a lot, yet there a few areas, which need special attention. Currently, she is studying the course of 9th grade, only after which she will start with 10th grade course. We are strengthening her basics and the working on the technical areas of Math and science.

Kajal is not sure about her goal. She is still thinking over it. An important aspect to be considered here is that it becomes difficult to think of her career now because she is 18 years old already. She is at an ideal age to get married, as per the norms of her community. Although, her family doesn’t oppose her education and her mother wants Kajal to finish her education, but social pressure has been a hurdle for the girls for the longest time. At such times counseling helps. Kajal is bearing pressure for 2 years now. As per the norms of her community, a girl should get married in-between the age of 15-16. Kadam has been providing counseling for last two years and by attending the workshops, Kajal herself has learned to stand out of the norms.