“I lost both my parents at a very early age and was married off at a very young age. I have an elder brother but he never cared about me. My husband died few days after I gave birth to a girl. I was left all alone, with my daughter. I got married a second time and found a partner who took good care of me. However, his behavior changed after the birth of my second child. He had stopped working and had started coming home drunk. He would often shout and beat me and my children. I started doing sex work to meet our basic needs.
My husband neglected my daughter and would not send her to school. She was often not fed properly and he had started sending to work in the fields. Around this time, I came in contact with a staff from RDMM. I explained to her my situation and my desire to put my daughter in a hostel. They called the Childline helpline number (1098) and explained my situation. After the telephonic conversation, RDMM staff also took my daughter to the Childline office in Warangal and requested for a hostel accommodation. However, due to lack of space at that moment, our request was denied and we were asked to try next month. I accompanied the RDMM staff on the second visit. Again, there were logistical concerns but after having heard my ordeal in detail and at the insistence of the RDMM staff, my daughter was granted hostel accommodation in Narsampet.
After my daughter was enrolled in the hostel, the fights in the family subsided. Currently, she is in class 4 and is happy with the facilities that are available to her. She can study there till class 12. I visit her every month. The RDMM staff also check on her regularly. I feel very relieved and am grateful to RDMM….“

–Ms. Ranjitha, 35 years, Warangal district

“I belong to Dommari caste and girls from our caste are often forced into prostitution. I have a daughter and a younger sister and a brother. The responsibility of my ageing parents is also on me. To support my family, I took up sex work. With my earnings, I married off my younger sister and am sending my brother to school. I often worry about my daughter and do not want her to have the life that I have been leading. I am a member at RDMM and also a part of one of their women’s groups. During one of the meetings, someone suggested about the benefits of applying for a ration card. I applied for a ration card with the support of the RDMM staff but the application was rejected. At this point, RDMM intervened and with the support of the Central Assistant, the application was forwarded to the District Supply Officer (DSO). My application then reached the Mandal Officer. The Mandal Officer visited my house for verification and granted approval to issue me a ration card. I received ration card after a month. I was thrilled to see my daughter’s name and my name on it. We now have an official identity. I can use the money saved on ration to support my daughter’s education. I am very grateful to RDMM and the officers for their help ……”

–Ms. Pakanati Anusha, 25 years, Geesugonda village, Warangal district