Introducing myself and my journal: A Journey of slum based young girl Changemaker

About Me:

Aarti Naik, Changemaker, Mumbai, INDIA

Aarti Naik, age 24 and she is a slum based young girl Changemaker. Since her birth she has been living in slum community of Mulund west, a suburban area of Mumbai, India. Five years ago she was a school dropout and there was no hope to continue her education, but she gives many thanks to Ashoka’s Youth Venture`s Changemaker Fellowship, because of it, her life has totally changed. She became Changemaker of her slum community. Since 2008, she has been working with the slum girls from Mulund west area to develop their basic educational capacities so that they can continue their school education confidently with quality learning. She is the founder of educational venture – SAKHI for Girls Education.

During 2011, World Economic Forum invited her as a Global Shaper to be part Global Shapers Community. She also has got an opportunity to attend India Economic Summit – 2011 at Mumbai, India.

On 4th Oct. 2012 she has got prestigious VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD for Bringing the Light of Literacy and Motivating to Girl Child Living in Below Poverty Line, this award given by ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY SEACOAST"

Today not only she is helping urban slum girls to exercise their right to education, but at the same time she is continuing her education from an open university. Her life has become more meaningful with understanding the importance of girl’s education as a path of empowerment.

SAKHI for Girls’ Education ... Creating Learning Space for Slum Girls

Five years ago, Aarti Naik has started to work with slum girls who were struggling to continue their schooling due to various reasons. She initiated the educational venture SAKHI for Girls Education (SAKHI means a female friend of girls who support, guide and inspire other girls for good cause.) – and she started Girls Education Project to build the capacity of slum girls who were studying 1st to 8th Std. Initially it became very difficult for her to convince the parents of slum girls. They showed ignorance to send their girls child to participate in her different capacity building activities. Then she started to meet personally the girls’ parents, especially mothers. Gradually parents started to send their girls to participate in project activities. After three months, 23 girls enrolled in SAKHI for girls’ education. Today Aarti Naik has reached around 100 girls living in slum communities, they are getting an opportunity to build their basic educational capacities with life skills.

My Passions:
To build capacities of slum based girls, so they will able to continue their school confidently with quality learning.

My Challenges:
To make girls education as a first priority in slum communities

My Vision for the Future:
To establish 100 Girls Learning Centers to reach 2000 girls living in Mumbai slums of India

My Areas of Expertise:
To create girls learning space in slum community specially for building basic literacy and numeracy skills of slum girls with life skills approach.