Mahalakshmi lost her vision at just three years old. Her mother, Nageswari, says her daughter suffered an epileptic seizure and was taken to a hospital in Anantapur, where she was told that she had partially lost her vision. She was then referred to a specialized hospital in Hyderabad. “When we arrived, the doctor explained to us that to avoid complete loss of vision, we had to start a three-year treatment and do monthly check-ups. The first few months, we did everything possible to take her, but soon after we could not continue. We simply couldn’t afford the treatment,” explains Nageswari.

“I was very sad, however we had to move on and adapt to the new situation,” she adds. But one day, she received a call from the village’s school director. He told her about the inclusive primary school that the Rural Development Trust (RDT) set up in the town of Bukkaraya. After this call, Mahalakshmi and Nageswari’s story took a turn back towards hope.

“I felt so happy. My daughter would have access to opportunities, she could develop and study in an adapted environment that takes her different abilities into account. However, I also was nervous to send my daughter out of town. But after one of the teachers named Radha visited us, I was immediately comforted. She provided us with Braille books and explained to my daughter that by using such materials, she would be able to read and study. That’s when I knew that Radha was giving my daughter a chance for a good future. And that was all we needed,” says Nageswari.

When the little girl completely lost her vision, her mother was heartbroken. She thought she would have to depend on her for everything for the rest of her life. But now she knows that it will not be so. In just one year, as well as learning Braille and studying like the other boys and girls, Mahalakshmmi has made amazing strides which her mother proudly recognizes: “I know she feels confident. Ever since she met Radha, she is convinced that she wants to be a teacher. She says that she wants to help other girls and boys like her. And I know she will. In fact, I think she has already started practicing, because every time we go to see her at school, we find her teaching the alphabet to a group of girls. We already have a little teacher in the family.”

Learn more about our inclusive education support at https://www.vffusa.org/disability-inclusive-development/