Shabnam Begum

Shabnam, formerly a teacher, is our Community Correspondent from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Being denied a much-deserved scholarship for completing matriculation with first division just because she came from a Muslim family did not stop Shabnam from pursuing higher education. Now the first graduate in her family, Shabnam believes that she has fulfilled her father’s dreams. Threatened by her progressive educational background, Shabnam’s in-laws were very wary of her presence in the family. Her parents started to get worried and they suggested that she take a divorce and return home, “I did not lose faith, or my temper. Anger does not resolve…

The Anganwadi centre in Jagdishpur village of Varanasi district lacks an authorized building and run in a rented accommodation. VV-PACS Community Correspondent Shabnam Begum from Varanasi district reports on the gross irregularities at this Anganwadi centre.

“We have only one room where we cook and teach the children. The person who owns the room, tie up their goats inside during monsoons which poses health hazards to the children” says Malti Devi, Anganwadi worker.

“The land of the village council is available but we can only start construction when we get funds from the administration” says the Village Head.

Call to Action: You can help by calling Village Head, Jagdishpur village, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh on 08874014044 and pressurize him to get an Anganwadi building contructed.

About the Partnership: The Poorest Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme and Video Volunteers have come together to create the Community Correspondents Network. The videos generated by the network will be able to highlight voices from the margins, providing skills to social communicators to provide advocacy tools to community based organizations.