Impact of Adolescent Education Programme

“Marriage before 18 years of age is dangerous.  It is illegal too. No girl should marry before 18 years of age.”  This is taught at every adolescent education center.  But there are few who take this teaching seriously.  Mrs. Ranju is one such girl who literally followed this teaching. She belongs to the family of Mallah (fisherman).  Of all six brothers and sister she is third.  She joined this center in 2001 at the age of ten. Being intelligent she quickly followed the lesson.  In 2002 GPSVS organized a health camp.  In this health camp a quiz contest was organized.  Mrs. Ranju kumari got the IST prize for giving the correct reply about the suitable age of marriage for girl and boy.  Her reply was age 18 and 21 respectively.  On being asked when she would prefer to marry, she replied that after 18 years of age.  This became news and spread all over Sugapatti.

Parents of Mrs. Ranju kumari learnt about it. They started search for suitable bridegroom for her.  Other villagers also provoked her parents to settle her marriage as earlier as possible.   Mrs. Ranju Kumari showed her resentment against this decision of her parents.  She boldly refused to succumb to the pressure of her parents and other members of society.  Finally her parents had to drop this idea.  Now Mrs. Ranju Kumari is 16. She is unmarried. She helps her parents by earning 10 to 15 rupees every day.  Her bold decision has left positive impact on other girls of e same age group of the village.

She motivates the women of village to join the health camp and take precautionary measures during pregnancy period.  She advocates for immunization of child.  She also encourages other girls to attend the school.

(We need more and more Ranju Kumaris)