2026

Hope Unlimited has given a one-time scholarship to 12 girls from marginalised families in Tamil Nadu, many of whom are single parent households. Action Aid helped identify the girls eligible for the scholarship. 

Swathi is a 14-year-old girl living with her mother, Nageswari in a busy neighbourhood of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The girl’s father is no more leaving her mother as the only breadwinner for the family. Nageswari works as a sweeper with irregular wages and no access to social security benefits. Her annual income is less than one lakh rupees. With survival a constant battle, there is a constant threat to Swati remaining in school. At times, the first-generation learner considers leaving school and finding a job to support her mother. Swati is now in Class 10, a crucial school year where her grades will determine what she can study further. Despite the hardship and anxiety about her future, Swati would like to finish school and pursue her education. 

Nine-year-old Nivi Nakshatra lives with her family in Ayappakkam, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Her father, Prakash, works as a daily wage labourer, his income dependent on the availability of work. The girl’s mother, Jeevarani, is unable to take up any employment as she needs to take care of Nivi, who suffered a left renal failure a few months ago. Though she underwent a major surgery. Nivi still has complications arising from poor kidney functioning. Her medical expenses have dealt a huge financial blow to the already struggling family. Despite. The family circumstances and her frail health, Nivi still wants to stay in school.

Vinnarasi lives with her mother and sister in a rented house in Chetpet, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. Her mother, Sivagami, works as a sanitation worker on a temporary basis. After the death of her husband ten years ago, Sivagami has been the sole earning member of the family. Both Vinnarasi and her sister study in a state run school. Unable to manage household expenses and support her children’s education, Sivagami has taken loans from private moneylenders. Vinnarasi, who is in Class 7, is ambitious and wishes to study medicine. She has borrowed old books to prepare for the entrance NEET examination. Her aspiration is not only to help her family out of poverty but to serve marginalised communities by providing affordable medical care.

(March 2026)

C. Arasan is starting the final year of school in Alandur, Chennai. His father is employed with at the Railway Officers Club but his income is insufficient to support the family of four. Well-wishers contributed to his school fee along with Hope Unlimited.     

(April 2026)