Rozina

The DIL team met Rozina in early August, 2001, at the Brigadier Bashir Ahmed Girls Primary School in Wali Dino Sheikh. She was shy, but ready to answer questions with a smile, even when asked about her painful life history. Rozina's father died when she was barely a few months old. Her mother, left with a young son and an infant daughter, received no support whatsoever from her in-laws. In fact, they seized the land and assets left to her by her husband. Rozina's mother was forced to move into a cramped, single room with her two children. When her husband's family demanded that she give up that room as well, the community finally intervened and convinced them to leave the widow and her children alone.

Rozina has thus grown up a witness to abject poverty. Her mother makes bags and tends to her neighbors' cattle. Her brother has recently started working, which has added to the family income, but they know that without the help of their community that regularly provides them food, clothes and provisions, they would not be able to survive. Her mother took on extra work so she could get her daughter a school uniform. When Rozina first came to school, her teacher recalls how she completely lacked confidence. Over the years, she has relaxed and gained in self-esteem. She enjoys coming to school and is a very quick learner. Getting an education has allowed her to dream of a future in which she can be a productive member of society, free of the shackles of poverty, and able to give back to the community that has helped her in so many ways. She wants to become a doctor, and start a clinic in her village.

Rozina is the product of a community that evidently values education. Her teacher insists that it is only because the locals (including the village leader: the wadera) are reasonably well to do and educated that Rozina and her mother have received so much support. After years of hardship, her mother has developed a heart condition and lives in the constant fear that she may die suddenly. Who will take care of Rozina then? In the event of her death, she has asked her village neighbors for one last favor: that they get her daughter married. Rozina is aware of her precarious situation, but she continues to go to school because she knows it is the only thing that will give her a fighting chance at life.

Rozina is currently attending class 7 at the Model School Khuhra. She is excelling in all subjects and participates actively in extracurricular activities.

Due to the generosity of a DIL supporter, Rozina's school expenses have been completely paid for.