Name: Deeba Age: 15 years old Village: K.K.Nanikam Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is English Child labor: 1 year (11-12years old) Joining age KGBV : 12 years old

Deeba has three sisters and two brothers. Her parents are both daily farmers, and earn just over $1 per day, sometimes work is unavailable for up three – fours days a week. This shortfall makes feeding their family very difficult.

Deeba missed one year of school, at the age of 11 due to family money problems. Deeba worked as a daily farmer and also helped out at the home, cooking and cleaning.

Deeba, along with her brothers and sisters is one of the first people to attend school.

Name: K.Thamilleelakodi Age: 15 years old Village: Kamalipuliyangulam Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is English Child labor: 2 years working in the home (9-11) Joining age KGBV : 11 years old

Thamils’ father is a daily farmer and sells milk from his cows; her mother is a daily farmer. Both parents work 7 days a week, 8 hours a day. Thamils parents earn $1 a day in the dry season and less than $1 a day in the monsoon season. 

Thamil missed two years of school, from the age of 9 to 11, having to work in the family home to support the family. Thamils’parents are very happy that she is in school and is able to continue her education and receives three full meals a day. Thamil would like to become a teacher.

Name: Rajilakshmi Age: 16 years old Village: Narikudi Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Tamil Child labor: 1 year (11-12) Joining age KGBV : 12 years old

Raji has had a difficult upbringing and had to move away from the family home and stay with her grandmother where it was a safer environment. Raji’s grandmother’s home is in a very poor condition, it is inhabitable during the monsoon season. Fortunately Rajis’ grandmother is now a cook at KGBV School , and stays here at the school with Raji.

Raji missed one year of school in order to help support her grandmother financially. Raji made food to sell at the local market, earning just over $1 per day.

Raji and her grandmother are both happy to be here, where they have three meals a day. Raji also said that she was pleased to be here as KGBV is a “very happy place to be”. Raji would like to be an artist in the future, her grandmother would like her to be a teacher.

Name: Palaniyammal              Age: 14 years old Village: Mithialikulam Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Maths, and many more. Child labor- 2 months (11 years old). Joining age at KGBV : 11.5 years old

Polanis’ parents are both daily wage farmers and earn $2 per day, work can be infrequent, making it very difficult to feed and clothe their daughter. In the past the family found it difficult to survive, and Palani finished school for two months to help support the family.

Palani is a bright enthusiastic student, and enjoys being at KGBV . Her family (who live very close by) are happy that she is safe, and being well cared for, relieving the burden of feeding and clothing her. Neither parents have received any education, signing by thumb.

Palanis’ parents are happy that Palani is receiving a good education. Palani would like to join the Indian Police Service, and her parents would like her top get a good job.

Name: S. Arimalar Age: 16 years old Village: Netikurichi Favorite’s: Movie star is Vijay and subject is Maths Child labor: 1 year (11-12years old) Joining age KGBV : 12 years old

Arimalar is KGBV ’s very own success story, passing a very important exam and progressing onto 11^th Stnd. Arimalar has a real chance of being able to progress onto University. She now lives in her native village, as her school is one of the only schools in the district with the course she needs. Unfortunately it is 8 KM away, fortunately for Arimalar ODAM donated a bicycle ensuring that she is able to continue her journey to school.

Arimalars’ family only earn $2 per day, and will need continued financial support in order for Arimalar to progress, potentially onto university. Arimalar would like to become an Accountant.