Mahender promotes girls participation

Mahender is a 23 year old youth hailing from a poor family of agriculture labourers. He lives in an interior and remote village, Gottimukula village in Shankarampet mandal.

He is pursuing intermediate in a college, located in a town which is 6 kms from his village. To sustain his family and studies – he works as a helper in a petrol bunk. When Magic Bus youth mentor visited the village for identifying sports coach, majority of the community people suggested his name.

Mahender was trained for taking the sessions as a Community Sports Coach (CSC).  He says “In the beginning very few children came for the sessions and there was not a single girl child”. Mahender along with the youth mentor talked to the community leaders about the non participation of the girls in the sessions. The community leaders helped them to organise a meeting with families in the village. In that meeting, Mahender informed the parents how important it was to play and that every child, irrespective of their gender, has a right to play. He also showed them Magic Bus’ videos from other areas where girls play with full zeal.

The screening of videos and encouraging words by Mahender inspired the people. Mahender reflects “after two to three weeks, we could get few girls and slowly it improved. He proudly reminisces “out of 23 children, 9 (39%) are girl children. I never thought I could have done anything like that. I am proud that I could bring about some positive change in my community.”

Thank you, George (8 months) and Henry (4 months), for coming together to provide a year long sponsorship for Mahender. Because of your generosity, he will continue inspiring young children in the community.