Divya Patra: Earning Her Own Living, Studying to Be a Doctor

Divya Patra spent eleven years at SSVM Hendaljuri, graduating in 2021. She comes from a middle-class family — not the poorest, but not in a position to access the quality of education the school provided for free.

She learned archery, computers, drawing, and dancing. "Being a student at SSVM High School is one of the best things that happened in my life," she says.

Today Divya studies Bio-Science and is preparing for medical entrance exams. She wants to become a doctor. At the same time, she works as a Manager at Sanraj Consultancy Services in Ghatsila — supporting herself financially while she studies.

A twenty-one year old from a small town, earning her own way, studying for medicine, managing a team. That didn't happen by accident. It started with eleven years of free, quality education.

A free school doesn't only serve the poorest. It serves anyone a paid system would have given less to.