“I grew up in a village with two sisters and a brother. We belonged to a small agricultural family and were extremely poor – sometimes we would even have to skip meals. Even when I was young, I always wanted to do something for my family but I didn’t even have the means to go to school. My father passed away when I was 17 and things got worse. The financial burden was too much and my mother couldn’t handle it alone. I was young and didn’t know what to do. I would get frustrated and think about cutting my wrist. I just wanted to put an end to the problems, you know? But one day when I was having suicidal thoughts, for some reason, I decided to sit down and calmly analyse the situation. If I killed myself, my loved ones would probably cry for a while and then move on with their lives. I wasn’t okay with that. I wasn’t going to let myself become just a forgotten face – I deserved more.

I had to step up and look after my family and myself. So I kicked the negative thoughts out and moved to Vijayawada. I managed to join a Petrol pump for a salary of Rs. 3000 per month. I was glad that I was earning, but it wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Soon, I shifted to another Petrol pump where I got Rs. 5000 per month. I was over the moon!

I began saving up, and slowly I was able to get my sister married and help my family lead near-comfortable lives. I put all my strength into the job. The owner was so impressed that he constantly gave me increments and now, I earn Rs. 9000 a month! It gives me joy to wake up in the morning, put on my uniform and get to work. My family is looking for a suitable man for me, but I am in no hurry to get married. I like where I am now and I want to be independent till my last breath.”

#Survival #Independent #Empower #Family #Life #Circumstances #Joy #Marriage #Support #Sister #Responsibilities #Job #Petrol #Money #Andhra #HumansofAndhra