“I have come a long way and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dream of becoming a cardiologist and to serve the poor and disadvantaged,” says 19-year-old Charumathi.  

Charumathi, a 19-year-old first-year medical student (MBBS), is the epitome of perseverance. She is an intelligent and driven young woman, whose knowledgeable conversations have the ability to engross and motivate anyone. For these reasons, she is a role model for numerous children living in dire circumstances in the resettlement colony of Perumbakkam (home to 13,000 families) in Tamil Nadu. 

Charumathi lives with her father, mother, and four sisters in a 225-square-foot, single-bedroom home in Perumbakkam. Her father, Janikaraman (48), is a street vendor who earns a daily income by selling fruit juice. World Vision (WV) India supported him with a generator to enhance his business. Her mother, Manimegalai (45), is a homemaker and assists her husband at the juice stall. 

Charumathi’s parents have worked hard to ensure that all five daughters receive a good education. Her eldest sister completed a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, the second has a Diploma in Architecture, the third a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications, and the youngest is currently studying in Year 12. Charumathi herself is pursuing her MBBS, as it has been her childhood dream to become a doctor. 

Facing challenges head-on 

Charumathi’s road to education was not an easy one. Due to her family’s economic condition, she often hesitated to ask her parents for additional study materials. She says, “I would request my friends for the books or download the content from the internet and study from my phone.” 

She goes on to describe a particularly difficult period in 2015, when the city of Chennai experienced devastating floods. Charumathi and her family had to leave their home and stay at an evacuation centre. She recalls, “It was a very tough time as I was in the tenth grade and had to take the board examination. I remember doing most of my preparations in a crowded campsite for evacuees. In the end, my hard work paid off, as I scored well and topped my school in the examinations,” says Charumathi proudly. 

After the Chennai floods, many slum dwellers living in low-lying areas were relocated in phases to Perumbakkam, a resettlement colony. Although Perumbakkam provided a roof over their heads, the location isolated residents from the city of Chennai. With inadequate medical and healthcare facilities, fewer schools, and poor housing quality, the people of Perumbakkam face a multitude of challenges. Many residents still do not have basic proof of residence to this day. 

Charumathi and her family moved to Perumbakkam when she was in the 12th grade, another crucial year in her academic journey. She tells us, “I had to change my school and would spend two hours travelling back and forth to the new government school. I worked very hard and made many sacrifices. My effort bore fruit when I scored 1082 out of 1200 in my final exams and once again topped my senior high school,” says Charumathi with a smile. 

Although Charumathi’s perseverance and dedication helped her navigate these difficult times, she credits much of her success to the lessons she learnt through World Vision India. She says, “A lot of my determination and encouragement came from attending the Life School programme and children’s club meetings conducted by World Vision. We were constantly encouraged and motivated to pursue our dreams. That gave me hope to strive for more,” says Charumathi. 

Charumathi sets the bar high 

After scoring well in the 12th grade, Charumathi decided to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. To do so, she had to appear for the NEET - the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test in India. This examination is mandatory for all students aspiring to study undergraduate medical courses (MBBS) and dental courses (BDS) in government or private medical and dental colleges across the country. NEET, which offers approximately 90,000 seats in MBBS and BDS programmes in India, is extremely competitive and is conducted annually in the month of May. 

However, girls face greater challenges when it comes to appearing for such competitive exams. Higher education is often seen as an unnecessary expense rather than a worthwhile investment. A recent report by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) states that around 39.4 per cent of adolescent girls in the 15–18 age group are not enrolled in any educational institution. A vast majority, around 65 per cent, are “either engaged in household activities, are dependents, or are engaged in begging, etc.” (Source: Article by Firstpost.com) 

Fortunately for Charumathi, her excellent performance in the 12th grade brought great pride to her family. Standing at the crossroads of her future, Charumathi faced a dilemma. She shares, “It was my mother, older sister, and World Vision who gave me the confidence to pursue NEET. I had the willpower to work hard, but our financial difficulties were the only obstacle in the way. Once again, it was World Vision who supported me financially and brought me closer to my dream of becoming a doctor.” 

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again 

Charumathi worked hard but was unable to clear NEET on her first attempt. However, in her second attempt, she passed with a high cut-off mark. She finally secured a seat at a government medical college and is now in her first year. She pays a minimal annual fee of ₹40,000 (approximately $572) to study in a government institution, compared to others who pay fees ranging from ₹16,00,000 (approximately $22,857) to ₹20,00,000 (approximately $28,571) to study in private colleges due to securing lower marks. 

She says, “When I failed my first attempt, I thought that this just wasn’t meant for me. However, World Vision encouraged me and gave me the financial support to attempt NEET again. After clearing the NEET, World Vision supported me by covering part of my medical college fees. My parents were also able to earn more than usual because of the additional livelihood support from World Vision. This helped meet our educational needs. It is because of all these things that I am now pursuing my first year of MBBS,” says Charumathi gratefully. 

A desire to do more  

As she continued her studies at college, Charumathi constantly worried about both her parents. She felt the weight of their health and well-being on her shoulders. In April 2019, her father was diagnosed with throat cancer. He underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 

She shares, “The one thing that would give me peace is being able to take care of my parents. I don’t want them to stand out in the sun or rain on the streets anymore. I want to give them a happy and relaxed life. But what pains me is that, although I am studying to become a doctor, I am currently unable to meet my father’s medical needs,” says a disheartened Charumathi. 

Charumathi continues to inspire others 

Though saddened by her father’s condition, Charumathi’s steely resolve and deep compassion help her cope with such hardships. She hopes to give back to society and become an example for other children in her community who may feel disheartened by their own circumstances. Today, many parents in her community use her story to inspire and motivate their children. 

Whenever she gets the chance, Charumathi encourages young girls to dream big. She generously shares her experiences and study techniques. “Most of these were lessons taught to us in the children’s or youth clubs and in the Life School training sessions conducted by World Vision,” says Charumathi. 

Charumathi’s future plans 

She continues, “I have come a long way, and nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dream of becoming a cardiologist and serving the poor and disadvantaged. I wanted to prove to the world, especially to children from slums and those studying in government schools, that childhood dreams can come true. We must work hard and find ways to achieve our goals. Never give up. One must keep trying,” says Charumathi convincingly. 

In the face of numerous challenges whether social status, financial hardship, natural disasters like floods, forced relocation, or setbacks like failing NEET Charumathi’s spirit remains unshaken. Her words inspire, and her achievements bring pride to her family and community. It is an honour for World Vision India to have played a small role in supporting her journey. Our country certainly needs more young people like Charumathi those who not only dream of a better world but also have the determination to make it a reality. 

- Neola D'Souza 

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