Nazia was very young when her father died. Her mother was ill and unable to provide for her family. Since Nazia was the oldest amongst her siblings, it became her responsibility to provide for her family. Nazia had big dreams of becoming a doctor when she grew up. Her dreams seemed impossible to reach as her relatives and neighbors tried to convince her mother that Nazia’s priorities should be focused on caring for her family, not on getting an education.
When Nazia was 8 years old she was able to strike a deal with her mother; if she could continue to provide for her family and keep the house in order, she would be allowed to attend a DIL school. Every morning she would wake up early to clean the house, cook breakfast for her family and walk a mile to the local DIL School. After class, she worked at a stitching center to help her family financially.
For a few hours each day, DIL provided Nazia the opportunity to just be a kid. She found happiness and relief from the burdens of her life while she was at school.
Nazia was a high performing student and credits her teacher’s lessons and encouragement for motivating her to excel academically. After graduation, she went on to a government college and was the first in her family to obtain her Associates Degree.
Nazia’s life changed in the 3rd grade when she was able to get an education. Now she wants to make the same difference in the lives of other children who walk a similar path. She decided to change her career path and become a teacher.
Nazia is now an English teacher at a DIL School. A lifelong learner, Nazia is also continuing her education and working on her Bachelor’s Degree.
At DIL we believe girls’ rights are human rights. Education is a basic right which many of us take for granted. There are more than 130 million girls around the world who are denied access to education. Investing in girls is key to eliminating poverty and creating a safer, brighter future for everyone. When girls are given access to an education they are empowered to pull themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty.