KKR

1. Success Story of Isha Khatun

Isha (name changed) lost her father when she was only 4 months old in a bike accident which forced the family to get into a trap of poverty. Due to financial constraints of her single mother Isha deprived from education, full meals, health care and other necessary supports.

After being placed in Ashar Alo girls home for her overall development she has been enrolled in formal school and co-curricular activities. After showing an exemplary skills and interest in cricket she was enrolled inCricket Coaching Classes. Sports have made a significant educational impact on her as she develops qualities like patience, leadership, and accountability.

Last year Isha participated in Street Child Cricket World Cup 2023 that took place at Chennai. On the opening day of the Street Children Cricket World Cup 2023, Isha with other children from Hope Kolkata Foundation represented by Team India Panthers brought immense pride to us by winning the two matches scheduled for the day She was also participated in 2nd Upamanyu Mallik Cricket Tournament and a capacity- building workshop under the Community Cricket Program in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She played with four teams at Bhubaneswar awarded with medals and memento as a best girl player. This initiative empowered her from marginalized communities through cricket, focusing on fitness, health, diet, soft skills development, and raising awareness in her of gender and child rights. She had performed better academically than ever before. Isha is currently finishing her education and playing cricket with greater vigor. She hopes to include cricket in her future pursuits.

2. “From Adversity to Achievement: Irfan’s cricket Journey of Transformation”

Irfan (Name changed) grew up in a challenging environment. His mother, often left him unattended for long hours as she went out to work. This left Irfan to shoulder household responsibilities at a young age, navigating a world that was not meant for him. With no adult supervision, he often found himself in the company of older boys which exposed him to risky behaviours and negative influences.

This story highlights the transformative journey of Irfan, a 12-year-old child whose life has undergone significant positive changes through his engagement in cricket training.

In Bekind Boys home Irfan received comprehensive support, including counselling, educational assistance and sport trainings. A year ago, he was selected to participate in a cricket training program initiated by Meer foundation. The program was designed to promote discipline, life-skills and personal growth through sports.

Irfan was also enrolled in English medium school, where he began to excel academically. With the encouragement of his teachers and peers he developed a love for learning that had previously been stifled by his circumstances.

Since joining the program Irfan has demonstrated noticeable improvements in various areas.

His behaviour has shifted towards politeness and respect, showcasing improved social interaction. Exposure to structured sports training has enhanced his critical thinking and decision-making skills. Participating in cricket allowed him to channel his emotions positively.

He found a constructive outlet for his energy which helped him diminish his previous behavioural issues. Active participation in team-based activities has developed his collaboration

and leadership abilities. He now exhibits a positive outlook on life, focusing on self- improvement and goal setting. Today, Irfan is on a promising trajectory. His journey is evidence of the power of sport in rehabilitation. Irfan has expressed a desire to continue pursuing cricket with aspiration of playing at a higher level. Irfan has shown interest in giving back to the community. he has volunteered to assist younger children of Be kind Home, sharing his skills and experiences to inspire them just as he was inspired by his coaches.

3. Victory of Bablu

9-year-oldBablu (name changed) was rescued by Hope outreach team and placed at Punorjibon Home. He used to live with his abusive and addicted father and in absence of his father both Bablu and his sister tolerate the abusive behaviour of their father. Due to parental neglect and lack of care and protection, the child gradually dependent on substance abuse and dropped his school. His started deprived from his meals and other necessities for his development and wellbeing.

After being placed in Punorjibon Boys home he was sent to detoxification treatment and therapy support was initiated to reduce his level stress, anxiety, and ease up the withdrawal symptoms. He was also enrolled into tuition classes and other co-curricular classes. Gradually after improving his physical and psychological wellbeing he was enrolled in formal school.

Beside the formal schooling, the best interest of the child enrolled him in football coaching & Cricket coaching and co-curricular activities.

Today Bablu is completely free from addiction and attending cricket coaching twice in a week. Last year he also participated The Upamanyu Mallik under 17 cricket tournaments at Orisha with the other RCCC children, although they reached till semi-final round and receive compliments for their performance. He does play football and participates in friendly matches.

He bagged many prizes in Athletic in School Annual sports. Presently, he is pursuing soft skill training on computer & spoken English. He is completely free from addiction and living a healthy life.

Shreeja Stories for KKR

4. Purnima Hembram

Purnima’s journey reflects the transformative power of dedication and leadership. Coming from an underprivileged family of farm labourers, she has been a vital part of Shreeja India for the past five years, balancing her studies in Sanskrit, Philosophy, and Bengali at Rajnagar College with her passion for football.

Shreeja India’s flagship program ‘Football & Beyond’ is a unique sports- based education endeavour that meaningfully engages, educates, enriches and thereby empowers first-generation learner girls and women, especially belonging to deprived indigenous communities in West Bengal. The initiative harnesses the power of football, a community sport to stop school dropouts,child marriages and other social evils by building social capital and leadership among girls and women. Under this program, as the captain of the Shreeja India Rajnagar football team, Purnima has excelled as not just a defender but a leader with determination and skill. She has honed her football abilities well and has gained the confidence to take on bigger responsibilities in life. She has refused to marry early, a norm still prevalent in her community. She says, “Football has given me freedom. When I am on the field with my Team, I feel confident, happy and secured. Football has given me an identity and made me a leader in Shreeja India and in my village. I wish to become a football coach and contribute towards supporting more girls like me and help develop grassroot football.”

Purnima is following her dreams with commitment and determination. She has recently stepped up to become the football coach at our Aligarh sub-center in Birbhum, transitioning into a role where she can inspire the next generation of players. This opportunity has given her more than just personal growth—it’s also providing her with an additional source of income to support her farming family. She wishes to pursue further training and education that will enable her to fulfil her life’s aspirations. Minati Baski lives in the small village of Babupur in Birbhum with her mother. Her father died when she was very young and her elder brother left them a few years ago. Minati continues to support her mother by performing all the household chores every day before leaving for the football field. In addition to her domestic responsibilities, she also works as a daily farm laborer with her mother to contribute financially to the household. Playing football with her Shreeja peers is the only solace to her ever-challenging life. However, despite the obstacles, Minati is determined to succeed in life. She never misses her daily football practice, driven by her love for the sport.

Her coach ‘Raja da’ sees great potential in her and believes that with the right opportunity, Minati can excel in the game. She is currently the best goalkeeper in the Shreeja Birbhum Team. Minati continues to win accolades and awards from playing tournaments since last few years.

The integrated mental health workshops with the football training have helped in improving her mental health over the last two years. She has become mentally tougher than before and is enabled to overcome challenges in her life. She is able to regulate her emotions better, both on and off the field which is reflected in her performances as an athlete and as a peer leader. Today, Minati along with her friend Purnima is emerging as the frontrunners of ‘Football & Beyond’ program. They are assistant coaches to their football mentor ‘Raja da’

during the football training sessions. Moreover, Minati too has taken on the role of a football coach at Aligarh alongside Purnima.

Minati's story highlights how, despite challenges, poverty and failures in life, she has remained undeterred on her dream of achieving success in life, proving that she is capable of more than what society typically expects of her. The football-based mental training, social support and counselling rendered under the ‘Football & Beyond’ program has been pivotal in supporting her evolving growth mindset.

5. Vidushee Neha Mardi

Neha Mardi resides in the remote Keledihi village of Rajnagar Block, Birbhum district. She is the first person in her village to score 94% in her XII board examinations and since then has continued to inspire many other first-generation learner (FGL) girls like her in her village and at Shreeja India centre. She is now in the second year of college and dreams of becoming a teacher. She is also a regular football player and acts as a Team manager for the Shreeja Birbhum Football Team. A sincere student and a committed leader, she has already stepped up to teach young first-generation learner (FGL) children (aged 4-10 years) in her village as a community mentor under Shreeja India’s project ‘Vidushee’.

Vidushee is making the community-driven ‘Football & Beyond’ program sustainable. This innovative intervention focuses on the formative years of FGL children who still cannot travel to the Shreeja centre by themselves, thereby affecting subsequent generations and making the

young children developmentally ready. Vidushee teachers are rendering foundational learning to the rural children and conducting football-based fitness training for them. They are also receiving monthly scholarships for their community service and hence have become economically independent in the process. By becoming role models, Vidushee teachers like Neha are ensuring that the program benefits extend beyond just the girls

involved and are also contributing towards changing the prevalent patriarchy-driven gender norms in their villages. Today, 27 such Vidushee teachers are supporting 700 plus rural children through the initiative. Being the brightest mind in her village, the community now respects Neha as a leader and sends their children to learn from her. Neha currently has 68 students in Vidushee. She continues to play a significant role in developing her village as a leader. She recently received an Award from Umeed foundation for her dedication towards education and also received a scholarship for the same as well.