Beating odds, taking wings

It is “a gift from heavens” for 15-year-old Zakir Hussain Kharali who is  flying to US this week to attend a six-week leadership programme held in Culver Summer Schools & Camps at Indiana, US. Zakir and his classmate Angel Kumar are the only two Indian students selected for the camp. It is a 100-year-old leadership development programme where1,300 students from more than 30 countries participate every year.

What makes Zakir and Angel different from the other participants is that they come from very modest backgrounds where education is close to luxury. Both the children earned this opportunity, all thanks to the Bangalore based NGO Christel House which educates underprivileged children across the world. “The requirements for the selection to the programme of these students include overall excellence in extra curricular activities which need emotional maturity and high academic achievement,” said Jaya George, principal of Christel House.

“The camp is one of the best leadership programmes in the world where children from rich and influential families get a chance to participate. We are proud to send Zakir and Angel because they are equally talented and deserving,” she added. Christel House will bear their expenses including the air fares. The camp will start on June 26.

Zakir's father, who is a tailor by profession, considers this opportunity as an unexpected blessing from God. For a child from the narrow alleys of MS Nagar in Kamanahalli, this is indeed a million dollars dream.

“It was difficult for my family to believe that I have got an opportunity to visit US. Talking in fluent English and learning computer along with taekwondo and guitar is close to a mirage for us,” said Zakir. He has won a green belt in taekwondo, a Korean martial art. Apart from various extensive academic activities, Zakir is looking forward to learn swimming and wrestling in the summer camp. “I aspire to become a software engineer one day,” he said with a smile that assures us of his confidence and determination.

Angel Kumar, an IXth standard student from Culvers Academy, is a proud 14-year-old girl dreaming to make it big in her life. “My parents were very nervous to send me to US. I convinced them because I know what it means to me,” she said. She wishes to become an IAS officer in future and work for providing better education for underprivileged kids in slums of India. Her father is a welder by profession and they live in Kavalbysandra near RT Nagar.