Married at 15?

Married at 15, first child at 16, another at 17, drunk husband, cranky children, tired and anaemic mother, scraping by on a daily wage when work is available, living on credit when that is available... A hard life - drudgery, worries, endless hunger. That's what Thimmamma has. She is barely 30.

Fifteen-year-old Ratna is getting married on 11 June. A bright student, she dropped out of school five years ago to take care of her younger brother, while her mother went to earn a living. Her life is all set to follow the same pattern as her mother's. At 30, Rathna will be the thin, tired mother and wife, that her mother is today.

Her sister Radha is just a year younger. Will her future be any different? We, at Kanasu Trust, hope so. We have pulled her away from home and placed her in a hostel. She now misses her home so much that she bursts into tears at the slightest provocation. Not for her the carefree song and dance of the other hostel girls. Not for her the secrets, giggles, and happy hours in the evening.

We hope that being in the hostel will keep her away from the social pressures of marriage. Her mother has agreed that she will not be forced into marriage as long as she studies. "If she is here, then I can't reject the proposals all the time. I will be forced to marry her off. As long as she is studying somewhere else, she will be safe," said Thimmamma. Our only hope of keeping the child off the marriage market, is to keep her in school.

What does it cost? Not much. Bus fares, clothes, and fees all put together come to just Rs 2,000 per year!

Any donors?

P.S. Thank you CDS for your support for her.