Scholar Stories
Ragul
B.Sc - Computer Science Graduate
Ragul has an elder brother of 22 years old, with a 2-year-old child's brain. It is Ragul who takes care of his brother's needs!
His father owned a laboratory, and their life was manageable until he was alive. After his death, they had to sell the lab to repay the debts he had borrowed. Even after selling their only property, they still cannot repay their entire debts.
His mother works as a lab technician, and her income is only sufficient to pay interest to the debts. So, Ragul works part-time to feed his mom and brother.
He takes tuition every day from 5 am to 7 am, goes to college, and works in a pharmacy for 6 hours, leaving the shop by 11.30 pm every day. He has been sleeping only for 4 hours a day for years.
Ragul's college fees are supported by 'I am the Change' scholarship of Team Everest NGO.
Monisha
B.com Graduate
When Monisha was studying, she had to sell her Mom's earrings to pay exam fees. But today, she is an IT professional. Like Monisha, the 'I am the Change' scholarship has transformed many students' lives.
Maha
Scholar to HCL Employee
From Rs 800 rent in 2002 to own home in 2023!
We identified Maha in 2019.
Unfortunately, when Maha was in 10th grade, she lost her mother to a heart attack. Her dad did multiple jobs, including being a security and catering person, working both day and night shifts to fulfill his children’s needs - Maha and her brother.
We remember her telling us, "My Dad and Mom came to Chennai in 2002, with just 2 sets of clothes, not knowing where to stay."
Maha was selected for our Scholarship and graduated in 2022. She works in HCL Tech now.
With savings from her dad, her own money and a home loan, she has bought her dream home in Chennai now!
Karthik
Samosa seller to Assistant Manager!
Karthick was selling samosas in 2008.
His dad is a street snack vendor. After school hours and on holidays, Karthick helped his dad.
Karthick completed his schooling overcoming many hurdles including a brain tumour.
He scored more than 80% in his 12th grade.
Unable to afford college, Karthick decided to quit education and started selling samosas on street.
That’s when Team Everest NGO spotted him. We came to know about his background. We asked him what he wants to become? He told that he wants to be an automobile engineer but do not have money even to buy an application form.
We asked our volunteers for help. They donated and today Karthik is an automobile engineer.
He works now in Royal Enfield as an assistant manager!
Hasina Begum
B.com Graduate
To see his children as graduates were the only dream of Hasina's father. He was working as a cook in Dubai. He left his family and went there to work only to give quality education for his children.
Hasina kept asking her dad when he would return. After many years, when her father finally told her that he is coming home tomorrow, Hasina was over the moon!
Hasina's much-awaited day came, but her father did not. Her father passed away in a heart attack. Her father was dead. But not his dream. She wants to become a graduate and fulfill his dream.
Currently, Hasina is studying B.Com III Year with Scholarship support from Team Everest NGO.
Ramya
B.com Graduate
Ramya's dad died even before she was born, and her mom is a flower seller. Joining a college was beyond her imagination.
Luckily, Ramya's graduation was sponsored by Team Everest NGO, and she is a working professional now.
Gunadevan
B.E Mechanical Engineering
From being a son of an Auto driver to be an employee of Accenture soon!
Education has brought this remarkable change in the life of Gunadevan!
Guna's college fees were sponsored by Team Everest NGO.