Story of Rita Kachhap

Rita is a tribal girl who grew up in a village in Jharkhand. In her community, it is common for girls to get married before the age of 15. Rita’s mother was worried as she didn’t want her daughter to have the same life as she did. Rita’s father, though humorously, had mentioned that they should find a groom for Rita.

Moreover, there has been an increase in the number of minor girls abducted for trafficking in her village. The girls would be taken to bigger cities like New Delhi and sold in the flesh trade or begging.

Rita’s mother decided to send Rita to her aunt’s place in Ranchi to finish her education. Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand, is economically better and has a good education quality.

Even though Rita understood why her mother wanted her to move to Ranchi was nervous about living with her aunt and studying at a bigger government school in Ranchi. On the day of departure, she cried and begged her mother not to send her.

It has been a few years, and Rita lives with her aunt in Ranchi now. She is relieved that her aunt is supportive and doesn’t involve her much in doing household chores. However, Rita doesn’t enjoy her school much. She hadn’t made any friends yet. Sometimes when Rita talked to her mother on the phone, she will ask her mom to take her back.

Rita’s mom and aunt were a little worried.

However, in the last few weeks, Rita seemed happier and didn’t complain about school. When her aunt inquired, Rita mentioned new bhaiya and didi have come to the school and will engage them in sports activities.
She told her aunt, ” Rose didi is very nice and a football player. Everyone likes her. I also want to learn football like her.” Further, Rose says that the sports activity has helped her to make new friends from the opposite gender.

She had never talked to the boys in her school, so it was a big deal.

She mentions that now she feels confident to play with the boys and even beat them in the games. Rita wants to become a teacher when she grows up.

The schools have shut down for last six months, and we are not aware of Rita’s whereabouts.

However, years of research(UNICEF) show that when girls do not go to school in marginalized communities, they fall victim to child marriage and labor practices.

We pray that Rita is doing well.🙏

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