Anita Bhardwaj
Breaking Barriers: My Journey Of Building An Inclusive School
Redefining Success on My Own Terms.
In the small towns of India, the Young girl’s life is scripted: marry early and secure a government teaching job. This is the small town’s definition of a girl’s “success.”
I also followed the same story as I hail from a small town in India where this is perceived as them being “settled.” Following this societal philosophy, I pursued an education that allowed me to land a teaching job, and I became a teacher.
To pursue my higher education, I moved to a big city, Delhi. Transitioning from a small town to this vast urban environment made me realize how advanced the world outside was. Initially, I found it difficult to adjust.
Amidst various personal challenges, I had to leave my job. At 25 years old, I found myself spiralling into postpartum depression, feeling isolated without a job or any form of support. It was during this challenging period that I began handcrafting jewellery and earning money and every crafted jewelry symbolized the beautiful transformation of my pain into passion.
As I navigated this new phase, I noticed how money could change people and their perceptions. Faced with societal expectations and differences in thought, I secured a government job at the age of 19 in Delhi municipal corporation school and also pursued studies in special education, focusing on children with intellectual disabilities.
From Challenges to Triumph
My Journey Through Special Education and Resilience
I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from an organization named Paper Seed, which operates in Uganda and India. I was chosen for a project aimed at improving the education of special-needs children, who were often not treated properly by teachers. Concurrently, to secure a stable job, I delved deeper into special education, especially since I was finding it challenging to land another permanent teaching position. But my journey began to take a toll on my mental health: I started talking to myself, gained weight, lost confidence, and felt a decrease in my self-worth.
However, with my diploma in Special Education, I managed to secure a position in an NGO. I began my career again with modest pay. Eventually, I found a better teaching position, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in job loss. Thankfully, my savings and earnings from jewelry craft sustained me during these tough times, even as personal challenges loomed large.
Yet, I persisted with my jewelry craft. It reminded me of an old saying: “If you can’t pursue education, at least acquire a skill that allows you to earn a living.”
My newfound love for poetry and open mics breathed life into my confidence. And with renewed vigor, I embarked on my most ambitious start-up project: an inclusive preschool. A haven where children, regardless of their abilities, learned, laughed, and grew side by side. Though the path was laden with societal judgments, my resolve remained unshaken. For every child deserved love, acceptance, and a fair chance.
Today, as I weave words at open mics, craft intricate jewellery, and witness the magic at my school, I’m reminded of the journey – from a small town with limited dreams to the city where I made my own destiny. Let my story serve as a beacon of hope. No matter where you come from, with passion and persistence, you can redefine success on your own terms.
Never let life’s challenges dim your spirit. Instead, let them be the chapters that make your story truly inspirational.
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