Reena — Charting Her Own Journey
Right exposure at the right time can help children navigate through challenges and chart their own journey.
Reena grew up in Karcheliyapara, the second-largest slum in the city. Her mother worked as a domestic worker and her father as a painter and daily-wage labourer. Being the eldest child and a girl, she faced multiple challenges—shouldering domestic responsibilities alongside school to support her mother, and eventually having to discontinue her education due to financial constraints and restrictions on travel and mobility.
Her involvement in Balsena helped her navigate these challenges. Reena first joined Shaishav’s mobile school programme and later became part of Balsena, a democratic children’s collective where she had opportunities to take responsibility, build confidence, and interact with children from different backgrounds.
During the post-2002 period of communal and caste-based tensions, Shaishav initiated Circle Point under Balsena to bring together children from Hindu and Muslim communities. Reena played an active role in these spaces, gaining experience in dialogue, leadership, and collective action. Recognising her leadership, she was selected to represent Balsena at an International Girls’ Summit in the United States. However, due to restrictions imposed by elders at home, permission was not granted. Despite this setback, she did not allow it to deter her spirit and continued her engagement with Balsena.
Reena later contested Balsena elections. Although she did not win the presidency, she remained an active committee and core team member. Continuing her education was another major challenge. After Class 7, Reena was told to discontinue her studies, as education for girls was not prioritised in her family. Realising that she needed to take responsibility for her own future, she used her personal savings to enrol herself in a government high school with a fee subsidy. Alongside her studies, she volunteered with Shaishav during summer vacation camps and used the stipend to support her Classes 11 and 12. She went on to complete her graduation without financial support from her family.
Through Balsena, Reena participated in national-level meetings and exposure visits, including her first train journey to Mumbai for a national-level girls’ programme. These experiences strengthened her confidence, independent mobility, and ability to communicate with parents and community members about education and participation.
Reena pursued post-graduate studies in journalism at Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad, managing her studies and work independently. At Gujarat Vidyapith, she was recognised by the Vice Chancellor, Sudarshan Bhai, who remembered her as a Balsena leader. Her father, who accompanied her for admission, witnessed this recognition, which strengthened his confidence in her.
Reena later completed a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and transitioned from participant to practitioner by taking on facilitation roles within Shaishav.Today, Reena is a senior facilitator with Balsena and a Wenlido Trainer. She completed a Wenlido Training of Trainers when her child was just four months old. Coming from the same community she now works in, Reena has strong rapport with children and sustained engagement with parents. Her journey reflects how long-term participation in Balsena supported her leadership development, educational continuity, and transition into a facilitation role despite persistent social and structural barriers.
