K.S.

K S is 20 years old and hails from a small village near M.M.Hills (Malai Mahadeshwara Hills). His home is right next to the forest and often wild boar raid their crops! He is studying B.A. (1st year) through correspondence from Karnataka Open University. At the same time, he is working as an office boy at a small office in J.P. Nagar. He is very shy and quiet, but if he learns something, he applies that knowledge to other areas of life. He is creative and has produced interesting pictures after just two Photoshop lessons! He is equally good at technical stuff and knows more about my mobile phone than I do!

He worked for two months in a Darshini hotel, serving and packing food -- 10-12 hours a day. After completing 12 years of education, he could not use any of the skills he had been taught. Three months later, he found a job as an office boy in Jayanagar and also joined a course in computer hardware. He saved money diligently and paid back Rs 30,000 loan in just over a year. After a year, he quit that job as he wanted to work with forests, natural resources, and animals. He now works in a small natural resource related consultancy. Whereever he works, his colleagues find him endearing for his willingness to work and learn.

He has also purchased a second-hand computer which he uses at home to teach himself typing, MS Word, Excel and Photoshop! He has also started his BA by correspondence. He says he can't afford to study as he has to support his family, comprising his parents and 8 siblings. He also believes that he is not good at studies and yet started studying as he saw employers asking for degrees. He is hard working and hence I am confident that he will pass.

In Bangalore, he and his brother stay together in a rented room and have now sent their 15-year-old sister back to school in Bangalore. She had dropped out due to health and distance to school issues. Every weekend, she comes back to their house and they take care of her.

Course: BA 1st year

Support: We have paid his fees for the correspondence course.