Lily spent her childhood in trash heaps. Today, she’s heading back to school and bringing other children with her.

Some students grab hold of our hearts; Lily is one of those students. 

When Lily arrived on the doorstep of the Sister India class in her village, she was 12 years old.  Actually it was her older sister who was attended class.  

Lily was what you Indians call a “rag picker”.  Instead of going to class, because she was so poor, Lily spent her days in the trash heaps, scavenging for things of value – anything her family could sell to make a little money. 

Reuters Alamy stock photo

But Lily wanted desperately to go to school!

Lily’s sister learned that Sister India classes are open to anyone and that all are welcome, and she brought Lily along.  Lily studied with determination, and soon she could read, write and do simple math.  

She also brought all of the other rag picker children, who had spent their days among the trash heaps, so they could learn too!  

Thanks to what Lily learned in her Sister India classes, she was able to join her classmates again in school at grade level, and she eventually graduated.  Through their class lessons on health, sanitation, home gardens and small business training, Lily’s family was able to weather the Covid years, a very difficult time in India.

Since Lily graduated from school, and she has begun her training to be a teacher.  She is happy she can teach to return some of the joy your support for Sister India brought to her.  Thank you!