The story of two girls who started a school for the dropouts will inspire you

www.mangaloretoday.com

Mangaluru: September 21, 2015: Sameera K, 25, and Fouziya B S, 26, friends since they were doing their post-graduation at Mangalore University, are now role models in their village after they set up a college in Kadaba, 70 kilometers from Mangaluru in 2013, named AIM’s first grade college.

Sameera completed her post-graduation in political science in 2012, while Fouziya, a year senior to Sameera, completed her post-graduation in Kannada. Sameera hails from Kadaba and Fouziya from the neighbouring village Athoor.

The duo became friends when they stayed at the hostel for minority students at Deralakkate near the University. It was here that they would have long discussions about the need to set up an educational institution.

Speaking to sources, Sameera said, "We were very clear that if the community has to develop then education is important. We could see the change in our families itself. My father Abbas studied up to Std VII and works as a coolie, while my mother Maimoona, who had only Madarasa education, is a housewife. Now I meet people and our outlook has changed. I am the first person in my family to earn a post graduate degree," she said. On the other hand, Fouziya has elder brothers who are graduates.

Initially, it was Sundar Gowda Mandekar who gave the girls building space on rent to start a school. As a first step they set up AMS school named after the initials of their parents in 2012. This was a school mainly for SSLC and PUC dropouts.

The same year, they applied for affiliation to the Mangalore University and they went on to start AIM’s college for BA and BCom. However, they continued with their school for dropouts. There are a total of 180 students, both boys and girls, including SSLC and PUC drop-outs. The first batch of degree students are expected to be out this academic year.

 

Courtesy: Bangalore Mirror