Why is Manda Suresh Vairagi so determined to educate her children?

Jayesh Sharma, Youth Mobiliser, Sustainable Waste Management and Social Inclusion

September 8, 2024

a group of people standing in front of a building — Vidyasagar Kashinath Sonawane, SWaCH

In the heart of Pune's bustling Bhavani Peth, amidst city life's daily hustle and grind, Manda Suresh Vairagi, a waste worker, and single mother, stands tall in her determination to educate her children and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. She is an example of how targeted interventions can transform the lives of the marginalized.

The 36-year-old waste picker was abandoned by her husband around 13 years ago when she was pregnant with their second child. Today, she is single-handedly raising her two children, Shweta and Sarthak, on a meagre salary of around Rs 10,000 (around $121).

But the struggle has only made her more determined to give her children a better life.

“It's tough being a single mom, but I've always tried my best to give my children a good life,” she says.

a woman standing in front of a building — Vidyasagar Kashinath Sonawane, SWaCH

Manda's story is not just about survival—it's about breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Waste workers like Manda often struggle to afford even the basic necessities for their children's schooling, such as books and uniforms, which can lead to a lack of motivation for the children to attend school. In many families, children are also forced to miss school regularly to contribute to the household income, often leading to them dropping out altogether. They also usually live in informal settlements or slums, where access to quality schools and resources is scarce. Many waste worker parents are sparsely educated or uneducated and cannot help their children with their studies.  

So, when SWaCH, a waste picker cooperative in Pune, stepped in to support parents like Manda, they were overjoyed.

As part of Project Utthaan, and in partnership with UNDP India and Hindustan Unilever, SWaCH works with waste workers to improve their access to government programmes and initiatives. Thanks to them, Manda’s children now receive Rs 3,000 (around $35) yearly towards their annual one-time school expenses, such as books and uniforms, under a scholarship programme for those who work in hazardous and cleaning occupations. 

The amount might seem small, but it is a big help for Manda. Books, bags, and uniforms help keep her children in school.  

“SWaCH is empowering us to secure a better future for our children. I couldn't have done this alone.” says Manda. “Now my children go to school in proper uniform. And have the books they need for the year.”

a group of people posing for a picture — Vidyasagar Kashinath Sonawane, SWaCH

The scholarship Manda's children receive is a central government scheme implemented at the state and Union Territories level. Under the programme, students from marginalized communities who study in day schools receive Rs. 3,500 annually, while those who study in residential schools receive Rs. 7,000 (around $83.38). There's an additional annual allowance of Rs. 8,000 (around $95) for primary school children (classes 3 to 10) of waste workers in hazardous and cleaning occupations. 

“Supporting families like Manda's is not just about providing financial aid; it's about enabling them to build a brighter future for their children. At SWaCH Pune, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, and we are committed to making that a reality, especially for waste picker families, who are often the most marginalized,” says SWaCH's Kalyani (who goes by just her first name). 

Stree Mukti Sanghatana, Bal Vikas Dhara, Hasiru Dala, and Shakti Foundation along with SWaCH are trying to make a difference in the lives of waste workers. They also work with their children, offering crucial programmes like after-school tutoring, books and other study resources and building awareness among parents and communities. They conduct frequent health and social inclusion camps too to assist Safai Mitras in accessing vital government social welfare schemes. 

“My children's education means everything to me. And SWaCH has made it possible for me to dream of a better future for my children,” Manda says. 

This International Literacy Day let’s pledge to ensure every child has an equal opportunity to access quality education. That is the only way to liberate communities from the poverty trap.