Heena

Heena, an aspiring air hostess and one of the brightest students in her class, faced unique challenges in her pursuit of education when she was in the grade nine in 2020. Despite cultural pressures that led her sisters to drop out of school, Heena was determined to break the pattern. The onset of the lockdown in March 2020 brought a new set of challenges when Heena’s father had a debilitating accident, leaving him bedridden for several months. Faced with the financial strain on her family, Heena contemplated quitting school. However, her school’s management connected her with Ekam Foundation Mumbai. With Ekam’s support, Heena continued her studies, adapting to online classes during the pandemic. Remarkably, she not only focuses on her education but also harbors a desire to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene among her peers. In a time when many of her classmates had to return to their hometowns without means to cover expenses, Heena considers herself fortunate to continue her education safely. The Ekam Education Program played a pivotal role in ensuring that Heena’s dreams remain undeterred despite the challenges she faced in 2020, and continues to support her education for the 4th consecutive year as of 2023.