Advocating for timely support

Twenty-three-year-old Manisha hails from Manimajra in Chandigarh. She was born with a deteriorating eye condition. Growing up without a father, she watched her mother work tirelessly as an assistant at an adult education centre to provide for Manisha and her two siblings. Despite financial struggles, Manisha’s determination to create a better future through education never wavered.
Her academic journey, which began at Senior Secondary Government School in Panchkula, led her to pursue a B.A. program at Panjab University.

Till Class 8, Manisha had partial vision so she could study somehow, but as her eye sight weakened, she was dependent on audio inputs for her education. Her brother who is also visually impaired joined online classes to learn using computer with screen reading software. He taught Manisha alongside his own lessons. This way, she managed to complete her education and gear up for employment opportunities.

However, life threw another challenge her way when her mother’s health declined, leaving her bedridden and in need of constant care. Manisha persevered through all odds and was finally selected for IDBI Bank’s 1 Year Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance (PGDBF) in Greater Noida. But this opportunity came with a hefty price tag of Rs. 3,54,000/- for boarding and lodging – an amount far beyond her family’s means. With her elder sister married and younger brother preparing for government exams, Manisha found herself at a crossroads.

In a stroke of luck, a faculty member at IDBI loaned her a partial amount, allowing her to start the program. However, the remaining fees still loomed large. Balancing her training with trips back to Chandigarh to care for her mother, Manisha refused to give up on her dream.

It was then that Manisha learned about the Eyeway Helpdesk through a WhatsApp group. Reaching out in hope of some financial support, she found an ally in the Eyeway Advocacy Officer who repeatedly visited IDBI offices in Delhi to connect with the Human Resources Head at the Bank. Moved by Manisha’s circumstances and impressed by her dedication to succeed, the HR representative agreed to provide the much-needed loan.

With this support, Manisha could continue her training, inching closer to her goal of becoming a Junior Assistant Manager at IDBI Bank. Manisha’s account underscores the need for robust support systems for those striving to overcome adversity. The timely intervention in form of advocacy turned things around, paving her way for a brighter future.

Team Eyeway