Manga is a dedicated teacher in Bhubaneswar, who grew up in a slum and attended a local public school. Living in a place where obtaining basic necessities like food and shelter was challenging, K. Manga understood how one’s surroundings could impact personal growth. During her upbringing, she had to prioritize obtaining these essential things.
She used to think that she couldn’t achieve big things because her surroundings were different. She believed that achieving big things required impressive college degrees and money – flashy things she didn’t have. In her words, she decided to stop thinking big because it wasn’t her cup of tea. She questioned why she should even consider such aspirations.
After completing her studies, she started a tuition center in her home to teach children in her community. Initially, only a few students, around five or six, came to her tuition center. Their academic performance was average, not particularly impressive. All six students came from families facing financial challenges in the same slum. One day, another teacher informed them about a state government scholarship program, which provided financial aid to students who scored well.
The students shared this information with K. Manga. Initially, she thought the scholarship was only for bright students and not for these children. However, she reconsidered, realizing that by thinking this way, she was neglecting her responsibility. So she decided to change her perspective and not categorize these children. Instead, she resolved to try and help them secure the scholarship, recognizing its significance in improving their lives.
For the first time in my life,
I quit doubting myself ,
I quit believing these students can’t excel.
I quit labeling them as average.
I quit losing……..
And I start taking responsibility for everything, and the results can be seen now.-Manga Says..
She instructed the students to ask their teachers to fill out the scholarship forms, and they would dedicate an extra hour after class to prepare for the exam. This was the first time she was assisting someone in exam preparation. She sought guidance from an expert teacher from ThinkZone, a program she had been a part of for the last four months.
The expert teacher appreciated K. Manga’s efforts, provided guidance on strategies, and suggested useful resources.K. Manga worked diligently to understand the material, developed a study strategy, and shared it with her students. Their hard work paid off when all six students cleared the scholarship test and received a government scholarship. Reflecting on this achievement, K. Manga expressed that in her words, for the first time in my life, I quit believing I couldn’t do something. I quit believing that my students couldn’t excel, quit labeling them as average, and stopped giving up. Taking responsibility made all the difference.
