Across rural Sindh, many girls grow up working to support their families rather than learning in a classroom. For nine year old Haniya, this was once her reality.
Before her learning centre opened, Haniya had never attended school. Instead of learning in a classroom, Haniya spent her days helping support her family by cleaning other people’s homes.
“I used to sweep and mop people’s houses,” she explains.
Coming from a large family with seven siblings, daily life was difficult and opportunities were limited. Before the learning centre opened, education simply was not part of Haniya’s life. Like many girls in her community, her days were spent working to help support her family while other children attended school.
That began to change when the learning centre opened in her community. For the first time, Haniya had access to a safe local learning space where she could begin her education close to home. Today, she attends school every day and has now been studying for two years.
“I like the school environment,” she says. “My favourite subjects are Science, English and Social Studies”
For Haniya, school represents much more than lessons. It has given her the opportunity to learn, build confidence and experience a childhood shaped by education rather than full-time work. She particularly enjoys the interactive activities in the classroom, including group learning, videos and creative exercises.
“Activities feel good, studying feels good,” she says. “I like the TV, the books and the desks.”
The school environment has also introduced Haniya to a supportive and encouraging learning experience.
“Our teacher’s name is Miss Sonia,” she says. “She teaches us very well. She talks to us kindly and teaches us with care.”
Although Haniya still helps support her family after school by cleaning neighbours’ houses, education is now giving her opportunities that once felt out of reach. Instead of spending her entire childhood working, Haniya is now balancing work alongside learning, opening the door to a future shaped by education.
“After eating food, I go to people’s houses to sweep and clean,” she explains.
Despite the challenges she continues to face, Haniya arrives at school regularly and remains eager to learn.
For girls like Haniya, access to education is creating opportunities that previously did not exist, helping girls build confidence, continue learning and imagine futures beyond the limitations of poverty and child labour.
Through the project, girls who may never have entered a classroom are now gaining literacy, confidence and hope for the future. What was once impossible for Haniya is now part of her everyday life.
“Now I go to school every day,” she says.
The Empower Her project was made possible thanks to generous public donations to READ Foundation, matched by funding from the UK government through UK Aid Match. Through safe, inclusive and community-based learning spaces, the project is helping out-of-school girls aged 6–16 access education closer to home.
