Heena Shinde: From a «Young Promise» to Project Coordinator
A story of perseverance, creativity, and professional growth that began with a scholarship from our Young Promises project in India.
When Heena Shinde joined «Young Promises» she had a clear goal: to overcome her financial difficulties and build a professional future that would allow her to live more independently. She shared an apartment with two friends and juggled her studies with a part-time job at a shopping mall.
Heena pursued her higher education at B.R. Gholap College in Pune. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued her studies online and successfully passed her midterm exams.
The lockdown also allowed her to discover and cultivate other interests. She began creating original paintings on bottles and developed a habit of reading—two activities that stimulated her creativity, broadened her knowledge, and strengthened her confidence.
Thanks to the scholarship and support from Asha-Kiran through the Young Promises program, she was able to focus on her studies and continue developing her skills. Her perseverance, initiative, and willingness to learn were essential in this journey.
Today, Heena has reached a new professional milestone: she works as a Project Coordinator at Leadership for Equity in Pune, an organization committed to enhancing education and promoting opportunities for improvement in the community.
It is particularly meaningful that a young woman who received support to complete her education is now working on initiatives that contribute to the educational development of others.
Heena’s story reminds us that a scholarship can mean much more than just financial aid: it can provide the time, stability, and confidence needed for a person to find their own path.
You, too, can support a Young Promise. At Asha-Kiran, we want to continue offering scholarships and guidance to young people from low-income families who wish to continue their studies.
By becoming a member, you are helping more young people like Heena to complete their education and gain access to new career opportunities.