⌛Where Are They Now: Antonyselvi’s journey from sponsored child to lawyer

My father died when I was 15, so my mother had to raise me, my two brothers and my sister by herself, selling fish as a street vendor. She did this without a bicycle, backbreaking work, for about 300 rupees a day ($4-5 dollars CAD).

Very few children in our village stay in school, and most girls don’t make it to Grade 8. The nearest primary school is three kilometres away, and the high school is seven kilometres away. It looked like I would be one of them because there were times in my youth when I was not going to school.

Choosing to overcome

My life changed when I went to a career guidance camp held by a Children Believe Partner. They counselled me on the importance of education and I decided right there that being a lawyer was my goal in life.

Despite the challenges, with dedication and hard work, I became my family’s first female college graduate. Until recently, there were no lawyers in our area, and legal expertise was unavailable to rural people. Vulnerable people now have an option.

If not for the sponsorship program I would have been working as a day labourer in a fish plant or I would have been married at an early age. The program has been a guide for my life, helping me realize that I had a voice.

Now I am bold enough to go anywhere and do anything. My own community had tried to discourage me, as a girl. But because of my success, I am now pointed to as an example to encourage other children to study.

You can make a difference today by sponsoring a child like Antonyselvi in India. Discover how your support can transform lives!

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.