A Champion in the Making

Nita’s Rise to Success on the Badminton Court


Nita, an adolescent girl from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is a first – generation learner in her family. She is one of three children from her community to get selected in the Junior Badminton Championship tournament in Delhi.

Unfortunately, Nita’s family faced a deteriorating financial condition that forced her elder sister and brother out of school. She could’ve had a similar fate but CRY’s education intervention ensured a different future for her. Through the education support class Nita was able to strengthen her foundation in education. Despite the challenges, she works hard to excel in whatever she does, whether it’s academics or sports. In her last annual examination, she stood third in her class.

Nita has also received the Junior Badminton Championship scholarship. The project team supported her to learn everything about badminton, provided her the coach and then she represented her state. She has set an example for other youth in her village, showing them and their parents that new doors can open through hard work in any field.

Despite her personal obstacles, including the need to travel far distances to practice badminton, Nita’s drive and love for the sport helped her excel to new heights. She also secured second position in the National Sport for Change competition conducted by the HCL Foundation.

Her badminton coach, Hemant, said, “In the initial days, she didn’t even know how to hold the racket, but now if you see her, you can easily conclude that she not only knows about the racket and shuttle but also knows how to make a game plan to win the matches.” Nita is determined to continue improving her game and achieve success in the future.

The Problem

Girl children from the Bedia community are at multiple risks and vulnerabilities as the community is engaged in commercial sex as the primary source of livelihood. Girls aged 10-15 years are most susceptible to being pushed into commercial sex by family, thus being denied education. This leads to early pregnancies, physical abuse, malnutrition and other psychological problems.

The Solution

CRY America’s Project Samvedna has a two-pronged approach – working with the survivors for their rehabilitation and reintegration and prioritizing prevention for the vulnerable members of the community through advocacy and direct intervention. Education, mentoring, and counselling have been taken as primary tools. The key activities are running children’s activity centers, establishing digital learning centers, connecting vulnerable children to open schools, and awareness generation with parents and the community on back-to-school safety campaigns in the villages.

Impact of the Project

1303 children retained in schools (6 to 18 years)
180 adolescent girls participated in the life skill module
90% adults received Covid vaccination
91 out-of-school children from 16-18 years enrolled in school
270 children participated in the summer camp

2023 Plans

● Increased access to educational institutions at the village, district and state level
● Enrolment of children aged between 6 to 14 years in village schools
● Regular interface with SMC members and their orientation on their roles and responsibilities
● Supporting girls above 18 years in selecting alternative dignified livelihood options

2022 Grant Disbursed – $33,088

2023 Budget