I’m a 17 years old girl, from a tribal background in Wayanad. My dad left us when I was very young. I live with my mother, grandmother, my mother’s younger sister and her husband, my uncle, two older brothers, and one younger sister. My grandfather had cancer, and everyone in my family works as daily laborers to cover our family expenses and his treatment costs. I had to spend a lot of time taking care of him. So I missed many classes. Because of the COVID lockdown our classes went online, but I didn’t have a smartphone, so I missed even more. I got a smartphone in the middle of the pandemic, but it was hard to get a good signal where I live. I also struggled with the internet and charging costs. I’m not good with technology, and even now, I don’t have a phone. Unfortunately I couldn’t develop good study skills, and although my literacy skills weren’t great, I luckily passed my 10th-grade exams.
After joining the Blossom project, my Malayalam reading and writing have improved. Now, I can read and write Malayalam without anyone’s help, and a bit of English too. At present I don’t know what to do after this course. Right now, my only goal is to successfully complete my twelfth grade.
