Charchita’s story

Journey to Learning and Inclusion

Nine-year-old Charchita from a remote village in Kalahandi, Odisha, was born with a visual impairment. Growing up in a farming family, she received a lot of support from her father yet faced significant challenges in accessing quality education.

When Charchita joined the Government Primary School located 1.5 km from her home, she was filled with excitement. However, school life proved to be far from easy. Despite her eagerness to learn, Charchita struggled with reading, writing, and interacting with her classmates. She often sat quietly, listening to lessons without being able to participate. Her desire to join sports and cultural activities remained unfulfilled, as communication barriers left her feeling isolated and excluded. Loneliness soon became a part of her daily routine.

A turning point came when Sightsavers India identified Charchita under its Inclusive Education Programme in Kalahandi district. Recognising her potential, the team conducted a physical verification and introduced her to essential skills like Braille literacy and activities of daily living (ADL) development.

To support her learning journey, Sightsavers India provided Charchita with a Braille kit and a Daisy Player, ensuring accessibility for blind people in her education. This equipment enabled her to access study materials independently. She received training in reading and writing in Braille and was guided on using the Daisy Player for audio-based learning. The team also reached out to her parents and teachers, offering practical guidance on how to support Charchita’s educational progress and daily life.

Today, Charchita’s world looks entirely different. Accompanied by her father, she attends school regularly and actively participates in classroom activities. Her confidence has blossomed and she has started engaging in sports and cultural events, breaking the barriers that once held her back.