When robotics classes began, the entire class was excited about building working models and participating in the district-level science fair. Alia, too, got a chance to create a project. She chose the theme of home safety but needed to bring a few materials from home.
Her father called me, upset. He questioned why we were making his daughter do all this and insisted it was the school’s responsibility to provide all things. He was unwilling to spend even ₹40–₹50 on her project materials. We didn’t reveal that we were from an organization and not part of the school staff—because if he knew, he might have stopped Alia from participating altogether.
As her computer teacher, I kept speaking to him respectfully, assuring him that his daughter was talented and deserved this opportunity.
On the day of the district fair, he refused to send her, simply because he didn’t want to pay for her taxi fare. Still, we managed to get her there.
At the fair, her project and confident communication impressed everyone. She won 3rd place in her category.
That night, her father called me again—this time to apologize. It was then I told him I wasn’t a school teacher, but from an organization working to give girls technical skills and exposure.
Since that day, whenever I asked for Alia’s participation in any event or visit, her father would simply say, “Ma’am, if you’re taking her, I know she’ll do something good—take her wherever you want”