STUDENT STORIES

LIFT is the sum total of many small individual successes and the collective growth those cumulative successes bring to underdeveloped communities. LIFT successes are made possible by donors, volunteers, alums and, most of all, the children of LIFT. 

PERSONAL STORIES

A heartfelt letter by Selva Shakila

When the news finally reached us that Mike was coming to India after nine long years, something quietly but powerfully shifted within our LIFT family.  It was not just information; it was emotion.

I’m Jerin, and I come from Sankarankoil. My life began beautifully with my parents and brother, but everything changed when my father passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest right in front of me while I was still in first grade.

That moment left a deep scar that shaped much of my early life. From then on, my mother became both a parent and a pillar.

My endless dreams are hidden within me…

My family – My Mother, Father and a younger brother studying 3rd grade. Is there any possibility for me to describe how my family lives? My parents got separated within 6 months of the marriage. My Mother was pregnant with me inside her. She was kicked out of her in laws house and my father didn’t stand for my mother and let her go. Then it was my maternal grandmother who gave shelter and took care of US. She was the financial, social and psychological support to us.

I am Beaula, the daughter of the late driver of LIFT. When he passed away, our family was left broken and uncertain about the future. My mother, a simple tailor, worked tirelessly to raise me and my two sisters. Life was not easy-we often wondered how we would continue our education.

In those dark and painful moments, LIFT family reached out hands to lift us up. Their support gave me not just financial help, but also hope, courage, and the belief that my dreams mattered.

I’m Kavitha, and I recently completed my MBA in Finance and Human Resources from SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Chennai. Today, I’m proud to say I work as an Executive in the Compliance and Risk Management Department at Spark Capital, Chennai.

I’m Arther, a Software Engineer at Summation Technologies Inc., Bellevue, WA. Today, I’m thrilled to share a milestone that means the world to me, my first international business trip to the United States, a journey I never imagined back when I joined the LIFT family in 2005.

My name is Kirthika, and I was born into a lower-middle-class family. I have vivid memories of my parents struggling hard to make ends meet. During my early school days, they couldn’t afford to pay for my fees, books, or transportation. However, after completing my tenth grade, my life took a significant turn when my primary school headmistress introduced me to LIFT in 2008. Joining LIFT was a life-changing event for me.

Hello friends! I am Leo. I am from Kallathikinaru, Tamil Nadu. Four people are in my family—my father, mother, my older sister, and myself. My father cannot hear. I go to work for daily wages to support my family. My mom is a daily laborer. I did my early schooling in my village. After that I did not know how and where I could continue my studies since my family could not afford to pay for it. One of my teachers who taught me in primary school helped me by taking me to LIFT.

I’m Migavel, born and raised in Puliangudi, a village in southern India. In my family of four, consisting of my dad, mom, elder sister, and myself, we faced financial challenges. To support my family, I started working at the age of 10 on weekends as a delivery boy, seller boy in a textile shop, and a Mason’s assistant. We lived in a small room (10×8 feet) that was cramped for the four of us. Despite financial constraints, I nurtured a childhood dream of becoming a software engineer.

Hello, I am Shaya Saruga. I’m 23 years old. My home village is Singamparai, India. I give my 100% dedication to do the work given to me, and seek perfection in all I do. My talent — dance, acting, drawing, painting, and card making—and dedication to my goal makes me
special.

I am Sowmiya from a village called Nanjankulam. I’m 17 years old. I am doing Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my life story with you. More importantly, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity, through your help, to rewrite my life story

My name is Selva Shekila, my friends call me Shaki. I am from a small village called North Vandanam.

Your support of LIFT is giving me a career and a future. I know that most LIFT supporters cannot make the journey to India but I hope to share with you how important your commitment to LIFT is and how deeply grateful my family and I are for the opportunity you have provided us.

Arun and Christy both came from families who were struggling. When Arun was 18 and when Christy was 17, they got involved with LIFT and began an impressive academic path. Arun received his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and then went on to get a Master’s degree in Computer Applications. Christy received her Bachelor’s degree in Physics and also went on to get a Master’s degree in Computer Applications. So, where are they now?

I am Jonisha Mary. My mom passed away when I was 10 years old. My dad is not part of my life since then.
I was brought up by my grandma. As my grandma could not take care of me, I joined LIFT. I was very interested in studying, and I am also very keen on helping in any way I can even as a young girl. I believed I had the capacity to study to be a doctor and the mind-set needed to be a doctor.

This is Anusuya. My father is a coolie worker in a spinning Mill and my Mom is physically challenged. There is no way I could think of doing much schooling leave alone medical school. Any quality schooling for me would be out of reach due to the financial hardships at home. But my dream even as a kid was to become a paediatrician.

I am Martina.  My home village is Kuthukal Valasai, Tenkasi in southern India.  My mother is a working government school cook.  My father passed away when I was one-year old.  I have an older brother who has completed his engineering education and is now working for a company in southern India.

I am Saranya.  I am 22 years old and am from Ukkirankottai, Tamil Nadu, India.  I completed my UG degree in Commerce in St. Xavier’s college in Palayamkottai. Now, I am doing M.Sc. Visual Communication in Loyola College, Chennai.

My name is Devika. I am from Gangaikondan, India. I am twenty-three and the oldest of three girls. My mother and father are coolie workers. My parents were planning on asking me to quit my studies due to having no financial resources for education.

My name is Rita. I am a young LIFT graduate who you have helped to transform into an independent woman. Unfortunately, my life began with a bleak outlook. With two young brothers at home and parents earning less than $2 per day, I planned to quit school and become a day laborer to help provide food for my family.

My name is Rajan and I am 18 years old and have been in the LIFT program for six years. I come from Kulavanihar Puram, Tirunelveli Dt. There are four members in my family. My dad passed away when I was in the 8th grade. My mom is paralyzed and can’t walk. She runs a little shop on the side of a road and earns a very little amount. I have a sister and a twin brother. My brother is with me at LIFT and my sister is taking care of my mother since she can’t do any work without help. I am studying through LIFT to support them.

I am Sowmiya from a village called Nanjankulam. I’m 17 years old. I am doing Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my life story with you. More importantly, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity, through your help, to rewrite my life story

I am Arulraj from a village called Veerakeralam Pudur in Tamil Nadu. I am 25 years old. Thank you very much for the opportunity to share my life story with you.

I am Ragaveni. I am 17 years old. I am doing my 12th Grade. I am from Kuthukalvalsai which is located in Tenkasi District. My village is a rural area where I don’t have enough facilities for education 7 years ago. My mother died which was a crisis I did not expect in my life. My father is a coolie worker; so, he was unable to offer a good education for me. I got an opportunity to join LIFT with the help of Mr. Alphonse, Retired Headmaster for my higher studies. It is a great blessing in my life as well as for my family. I am in LIFT for the last 7 years.

I am Angelin Mary doing grade 12.

I come from Thalarkulam which is in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. My parents are coolieworkers. I have two siblings doing 11th and 9th grade. Even though I shined well in my academics and other co-curricular activities, my parents were not able to support me financially due to poverty. I had a fear about my future, when I was at home but by God’s grace and with the help of Fr. Jamels I joined LIFT in 2018.

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