I never dreamed I could do this...
She is Mallika Reddy. She hails from Buruju (V), Thambalapalli (M), Chittoor dist. She has two siblings, both of whom are studying. Her parents were on cloud nine when she was born was the first child born to them. ReadMore...
Eswaramma with locomotor disability works as a cashier at the Hypercity Mall, Hyderabad. Unlike before she lives an independent life now. "'My parents and I are thankful to the Youth 4 Jobs trainings which placed me in this job" ReadMore...
Venkat hails from Prakasam Dist, around 350 kms from here, and for the last 2 years, has made Hyderabad his new home. As a physically-challenged person, thanks to his Polio-stricken Childhood, he limps while he walks, yet stands tall when he sits in front of you and talks about himself, his job and his interests.ReadMore...
Parvathi walked into the room with a huge smile pasted on her face, she folded her hands and bowed her head and managed a gentle Namaste before we could begin. I was left alone with her for sometime and in those few moments of silence we held one of the most amazing conversations I have had in a really long time. It was she who held the patience to let me understand how her name was spelled in the sign language. I can never forget that experience and I can never forget the delight that is Parvathi.ReadMore...
To a total stranger, Srinivas comes across as a normal 21-year old guy oozing confidence as he smiles. It’s only when you come closer to take a look at the ‘I understand only sign language’ badge that’s pinned to his shirt-pocket, you realize that he is speech-and-hearing impaired. But he manages to communicate more using his sign-language and facial countenances, as we sat down for our little chat. ReadMore...
With very limited options in his hometown - Rajamundry - Raju, decided to stay away from his family for the sake of pursuing his studies. Having completed schooling until 10th in Kakinada, he moved to Vijayawada to complete his Junior college education as well. Thanks to the Govt. sponsor, his family was not burdened too much for his education. ReadMore...
I never dreamed I could do this...
She is Mallika Reddy. She hails from Buruju (V), Thambalapalli (M), Chittoor dist. She has two siblings, both of whom are studying. Her parents were on cloud nine when she was born was the first child born to them. But the jubilation turned to despair when at the age of 9 months she was attacked by polio. They spent a lot of money and time in consulting the doctors for treatment but all in vain. At some point of time her grandparents forced her parents to leave her . But her parents sent her to Hyderabad for her studies.
She did her schooling from 5th to 10th at Little Angels High School, Hyderabad. Her aunt looked after her very affectionately rather than her parents. When Mallika was in the 7th standard her father was attacked with paralysis. They had to sell all their assets for his treatment and thus could not support her studies in Hyderabad. She returned to her village after completing her SSC and joined the intermediate studies at Ramakrishna junior college, Madanapalli.
Her family patiently bears the burden of poverty. Even though they were living hand to mouth, her parents never regretted spending money on her education. She stood first in class and completed B.Com computers in Sri Vivekananda degree college, Madanapalli. In her final year, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. For her treatment the family went under tremendous debt. But Mallika never gave up her trials to get success; she got a seat for a course in MBA at Mahila University, Tirupathi in fee reimbursement quota.
When she was in the 4th semester, she read an advertisement of YOUTH4JOBS in the Eenadu newspaper. She called the number given in it where she spoke with one of the trainers and learned of the trainings provided here. She felt that the opportunity was given by God since YOUTH4JOBS trainings were for a job and who on earth will give a disabled girl a job. Without a second thought she joined the training. Earlier she used to feel inferior in new places but here in this training she didn’t feel so. Because all her friends were differently abled with a lot of zeal to learn and to settle in life. She learnt English, Soft skills and Typing in computers for 2 months. Training changed her behavior, attitude, language and style. She learnt a lot of techniques in teaching and followed the tips given by her experienced trainers. She found a lot of change in herself and became very confident to work in this competitive world. She applied for a job as an English trainer in a government project,EGMM for training, g ot selected and was posted to Tirupathi TTDC with a salary of 12,000/-.
She has got an opportunity to mould the rural youth and to be a part in enhancing their skills and enlightening their lives. Her joy knew no bounds. She confidently says that she would help her brother and sister for their further studies. YOUTH4JOBS was a ray of light and compassion in her dismal life.
Eshwaramma sits across me with her arms folded across her lap, a shy smile on her face. She comes from Nellore, the second of two daughters, born with a locomotive disability. She studied in a normal school like her sister, and her face lights up and words leave her mouth more rapidly when she talks about her school, her friends, and her favorite subject - Math.
Her parents were reluctant to send her out on her own, so she worked as a teacher at a government school for one and a half years. “My salary was only Rs. 1000 a month, barely enough to make ends meet at that time”, she recalls. Believing she had no other option, she continued to teach until she learned about an organization, Youth4Jobs, based in Hyderabad that trains and helps place disabled youth in several professions.
Eshwaramma had never stepped out of her village, and it took all her courage to move to a strange city where she was to be trained for three months, with her necessities like food and stay taken care of. The Aanganwaadi teachers dropped her at the center, where she, along with a batch of 30 people, were trained in different areas like Spoken English, Customer Interaction, Computer skills, and Interview Prep. The latter made a big difference in increasing her confidence, she said, because interviews made her nervous and tongue tied.
After training, she was the first of 9 people in her batch to get a job at Hypercity as a cashier. The starting salary at the company was 6500, which was set to increase with tenure. “For the first time, I had enough money to support me and my family”, she says, with a big smile on her face. It wasn’t easy for her in the beginning, the long hours spent standing, the discipline and rigor required in a professional job, but Eswaramma was up to the challenge.
She worked at Hypercity for three years, leaving it to marry Sudhakar, a fellow PWD (person with disability) who was also a part of her batch. The couple faced a lot of resistance from both families, who were worried about how two people with physical disability could support each other. Sudhakar recently moved to a call center, where he now earns a good salary with a lot of incentives. His new job has silenced any doubts their families had about them being able to live an independent life, and she is now eager to start a family and live a life of dignity with her husband and future child. “I have Youth4Jobs to thank not just for enabling me to get a job, but to look at my future with confidence and surety”, she says, her eyes sparkling. Our interview ends, and she gets up, to return to the life she is living, on her terms.
Venkat hails from Prakasam Dist, around 350 kms from here, and for the last 2 years, has made Hyderabad his new home. As a physically-challenged person, thanks to his Polio-stricken Childhood, he limps while he walks, yet stands tall when he sits in front of you and talks about himself, his job and his interests.
With help from the Govt, he completed his 12th grade, and went on to complete his MCA, with great support from his Family. While his Elder brother (Venkata Rao), a Farmer by profession, takes care of his Mother & Father back in their village, Venkateshwar decided to move to Hyderabad partly moved by his interest in the Retail Sector, and partly having found an avenue through Youth4Jobs, when the team had visited his village two years ago.
Speaking confidently in very good English, he narrates how he used to struggle as a kid trying to learn English as there were hardly anyone in his village that spoke the language, but he still essayed speaking in English to people whenever he could. He is happy he found an organization like Y4J, as the team identified his interest in the Retail sector, trained him for two months in Hyderabad, and found a job befitting his qualification at Tanishq as a back-end executive. His daily job at Tanishq is mostly a desk job involving maintenance of attendance records of the employees and inventory records in Excel.
Venkat believes he has found the job in his dream sector (Retail) and plans to be in the sector for quite some time now. He draws a handsome 10K as salary plus quarterly bonus, most of which he is able to send home to support his family as well. He now looks forward to going home in June when his elder brother’s marriage is planned to happen, and the new respect with which people in his village treat him. A real inspiration, he now drags his foot only to leave a deep trace behind wherever he goes!
Venkateshwar | Back-end Executive, Tanishq Jewellers, Kukatpally
[Karthik]
Venkat hails from Prakasam Dist, around 350 kms from here, and for the last 2 years, has made Hyderabad his new home. As a physically-challenged person, thanks to his Polio-stricken Childhood, he limps while he walks, yet stands tall when he sits in front of you and talks about himself, his job and his interests.
With help from the Govt, he completed his 12th grade, and went on to complete his MCA, with great support from his Family. While his Elder brother (Venkata Rao), a Farmer by profession, takes care of his Mother & Father back in their village, Venkateshwar decided to move to Hyderabad partly moved by his interest in the Retail Sector, and partly having found an avenue through Youth4Jobs, when the team had visited his village two years ago.
Speaking confidently in very good English, he narrates how he used to struggle as a kid trying to learn English as there were hardly anyone in his village that spoke the language, but he still essayed speaking in English to people whenever he could. He is happy he found an organization like Y4J, as the team identified his interest in the Retail sector, trained him for two months in Hyderabad, and found a job befitting his qualification at Tanishq as a back-end executive. His daily job at Tanishq is mostly a desk job involving maintenance of attendance records of the employees and inventory records in Excel.
Venkat believes he has found the job in his dream sector (Retail) and plans to be in the sector for quite some time now. He draws a handsome 10K as salary plus quarterly bonus, most of which he is able to send home to support his family as well. He now looks forward to going home in June when his elder brother’s marriage is planned to happen, and the new respect with which people in his village treat him. A real inspiration, he now drags his foot only to leave a deep trace behind wherever he goes!
Parvathi walked into the room with a huge smile pasted on her face, she folded her hands and bowed her head and managed a gentle Namaste before we could begin. I was left alone with her for sometime and in those few moments of silence we held one of the most amazing conversations I have had in a really long time. It was she who held the patience to let me understand how her name was spelled in the sign language. I can never forget that experience and I can never forget the delight that is Parvathi.
G. Parvathi was born in a family of farmers in Vijaynagar. Her family comprises of her father, mother and sister. When asked about her family, she shyly mentions how she loves her doting father and works hard to please her disciplinarian mother. You can’t help but smile at her hesitation, like that of a child. She has had very humble beginnings. Yet her charismatic smile and simplicity makes her stand out. To the world, she is deaf and mute. But hers is not a story of defeat or misfortune, her story is about standing tall and strong in the face of adversity and changing her fate.
Parvathi begins her story with her education. She proudly claims that she completed her school and earned her intermediate degree. She firmly believed that school would enable her to find a decent job. And finding one was her next struggle. However, this struggle was long and hard. She tried for two long years but all in vain. Her disability often stood in front of her like a roadblock.
Hope soon came to her in the disguise of her friend, also called Parvathi. She told her about the kind of work Youth For Jobs had been doing for people with disability. Her parents immediately contacted Sridhar, one of the trainers at Youth For Jobs. She started communicating with him using text messages and there was no turning back.
Her journey with Youth For Jobs began in May 2013. Within two months of training, she quickly adapted to her new surrounding and started picking up important skills. She was trained in using a computer, working in retail and other life skills such as time and money management. Within no time Parvathi charmed her way into landing a job at Max Lifestyle.
Parvathi, gleefully describes that she is responsible for the kids section in MAX. Her job requires her to organize the products and merchandize, take care of everything and entertain all her little customers. Her manager is very appreciative of her work as she is very patient with kids and is a quick learner. Her responsibilities also include setting up the new stock and organizing everything. She enjoys the crowd that she entertains. Her work hours usually range from 9 AM – 6 PM or 11 AM – 8 PM in the evening.
Parvathi’s parents were instrumental in her growth in life. They feel pride in her independence and respectability. She narrates how different things were before she came here. During the time when she was struggling to find a job, her parents worried about her. But now when she visits them, she takes photographs of herself at work. Not only do her parents swell up with pride but also share those photographs with their neighbours.
Her disability is her past and her future is a basket full of great opportunities. Her recent plans include asking for a transfer to an office closer to home. She wants to take care of her parents and live close to them. In the long term she plans to spread awareness about Youth For Jobs, so that everyone gets the kind of opportunity and support that she received.
She idolizes Narra Chanra Babu Naidu for the brilliant work he has done in getting pension for old women and the disabled community. In her free time, Parvathi adores watching old telegu movies on TV. She quips that the older movies had charm in them. Her favourite actor is Nagarjuna and she has a very fancy name sign for him as well. Her face brightens up at the mention of movies and entertainment. She enjoys watching musicals especially the ones with Nagarjuna in them.
This is Parvathi’s simple yet fantastic story about how she came from a remote village and grew to earn her own independence. She is a jovial and happy person with an infectious smile. Her eyes dance around when you talk to her. She tries to understand every word or emotion that comes out from you. She is the woman with the infectious smile and iron will. Though no words were spoken in our conversation, yet I left the room with a sense of enlightenment and warmth. Parvathi epitomizes hope, hope that there is a better life if you try.
Parvathi walked into the room with a huge smile pasted on her face, she folded her hands and bowed her head and managed a gentle Namaste before we could begin. I was left alone with her for sometime and in those few moments of silence we held one of the most amazing conversations I have had in a really long time. It was she who held the patience to let me understand how her name was spelled in the sign language. I can never forget that experience and I can never forget the delight that is Parvathi.
G. Parvathi was born in a family of farmers in Vijaynagar. Her family comprises of her father, mother and sister. When asked about her family, she shyly mentions how she loves her doting father and works hard to please her disciplinarian mother. You can’t help but smile at her hesitation, like that of a child. She has had very humble beginnings. Yet her charismatic smile and simplicity makes her stand out. To the world, she is deaf and mute. But hers is not a story of defeat or misfortune, her story is about standing tall and strong in the face of adversity and changing her fate.
Parvathi begins her story with her education. She proudly claims that she completed her school and earned her intermediate degree. She firmly believed that school would enable her to find a decent job. And finding one was her next struggle. However, this struggle was long and hard. She tried for two long years but all in vain. Her disability often stood in front of her like a roadblock.
Hope soon came to her in the disguise of her friend, also called Parvathi. She told her about the kind of work Youth For Jobs had been doing for people with disability. Her parents immediately contacted Sridhar, one of the trainers at Youth For Jobs. She started communicating with him using text messages and there was no turning back.
Her journey with Youth For Jobs began in May 2013. Within two months of training, she quickly adapted to her new surrounding and started picking up important skills. She was trained in using a computer, working in retail and other life skills such as time and money management. Within no time Parvathi charmed her way into landing a job at Max Lifestyle.
Parvathi, gleefully describes that she is responsible for the kids section in MAX. Her job requires her to organize the products and merchandize, take care of everything and entertain all her little customers. Her manager is very appreciative of her work as she is very patient with kids and is a quick learner. Her responsibilities also include setting up the new stock and organizing everything. She enjoys the crowd that she entertains. Her work hours usually range from 9 AM – 6 PM or 11 AM – 8 PM in the evening.
Parvathi’s parents were instrumental in her growth in life. They feel pride in her independence and respectability. She narrates how different things were before she came here. During the time when she was struggling to find a job, her parents worried about her. But now when she visits them, she takes photographs of herself at work. Not only do her parents swell up with pride but also share those photographs with their neighbours.
Her disability is her past and her future is a basket full of great opportunities. Her recent plans include asking for a transfer to an office closer to home. She wants to take care of her parents and live close to them. In the long term she plans to spread awareness about Youth For Jobs, so that everyone gets the kind of opportunity and support that she received.
She idolizes Narra Chanra Babu Naidu for the brilliant work he has done in getting pension for old women and the disabled community. In her free time, Parvathi adores watching old telegu movies on TV. She quips that the older movies had charm in them. Her favourite actor is Nagarjuna and she has a very fancy name sign for him as well. Her face brightens up at the mention of movies and entertainment. She enjoys watching musicals especially the ones with Nagarjuna in them.
This is Parvathi’s simple yet fantastic story about how she came from a remote village and grew to earn her own independence. She is a jovial and happy person with an infectious smile. Her eyes dance around when you talk to her. She tries to understand every word or emotion that comes out from you. She is the woman with the infectious smile and iron will. Though no words were spoken in our conversation, yet I left the room with a sense of enlightenment and warmth. Parvathi epitomizes hope, hope that there is a better life if you try.
To a total stranger, Srinivas comes across as a normal 21-year old guy oozing confidence as he smiles. It’s only when you come closer to take a look at the ‘I understand only sign language’ badge that’s pinned to his shirt-pocket, you realize that he is speech-and-hearing impaired. But he manages to communicate more using his sign-language and facial countenances, as we sat down for our little chat.
Born in a family of masons, he is the only one of the three sons, who has a stable job with regular income. His elder brother left for Dubai in search of a job, and his younger sibling runs errands in their village in Karimnagar dist. Born with this congenital disability, his illiterate parents were clueless about raising him normally. He was enrolled in a special school. While his brothers showed little interest in studies, he went on to complete his Junior college education in Guntur.
After education, he got to know about Y4J through some of his good friends, and not wanting to become a mason himself like his Dad, he decided to move to the city. After undergoing the training program, he is now placed at the Lifestyle shopping center in Begumpet. His daily work doesn’t entail much of people interaction - he works at the counter, de-tagging the products and folding & unfolding the clothes.
He is happily employed now, as he is able to support his Mom with his earnings, and visits her once a month. He is quite ambitious, and spends his weekly-offs studying and at the Internet parlors. He is a tad disappointed though with some of his other friends, who are also speech-and-hearing impaired but are quite content with the pension they draw from the Govt. He wants them to think beyond their shortcomings, and come out and lead an independent life. Hopefully, they get inspired looking at Srinivas, and soon experience the honor of living life independently like him.
With very limited options in his hometown - Rajamundry - Raju, decided to stay away from his family for the sake of pursuing his studies. Having completed schooling until 10th in Kakinada, he moved to Vijayawada to complete his Junior college education as well. Thanks to the Govt. sponsor, his family was not burdened too much for his education.
Staying away from his big family - 2 elder brothers, 2 elder sisters, Mother & Father, all involved in Agriculture - Raju realized, at a very young age, that his speech-and-hearing disability should, in no way, hinder his pursuit of education. He is now employed at the Begumpet branch of LifeStyle - de-tagging the clothes and working behind the counter.
He got to know about Youth4Jobs through Newspaper ads, and with hope that team can change his life for the better, underwent their Placement and Orientation training for two month. And, viola! his LifeStyle has in fact changed now.
His only complaint now is that the hostel food so makes him miss his mom-made food, and at any given opportunity, wants to relocate to the Rajamundry branch of LifeStyle, and be with his Family (to make up for all the days he had to be away from them for his education). I salute this 25-year old guy’s grit in not wanting to give up his job and his determination to be self-reliant - we didn’t exchange any words throughout our chat, but he made all his thoughts heard ‘loud and clear’.