Dharunica P

Dharunica, a 10th-grade student at Stansford International Hr. Sec. School in Puducherry, demonstrated academic excellence with scores of 88% in 9th grade and 90.20% in 8th grade. Unfortunately, her life took a challenging turn when her father, a car driver, passed away in a car accident in May 2019. In the aftermath, her mother took up a job as a salesgirl in a supermarket to support the family, earning Rs. 7,000. However, the family faced additional hardship when Dharunica’s mother battled cancer and, after six months of treatment at JIPMER Hospital, passed away in September 2022. Dharunica and her younger brother moved in with her father’s younger brother, an electrician earning Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 monthly. His children also attended the same school. Despite his efforts, he struggled to meet all their needs and cover educational expenses. The Ekam Education Program plays a crucial role in alleviating this burden, ensuring Dharunica’s education is supported during these challenging times.