Annual Report 2019
make ends meet . Like many homes in remote villages , traditional ideas about gender roles were embedded in the family . Sitting on a rickety schoolroom chair across from me , she explained that her future was to be a wife and mother , not a university graduate . Besides , her family could never afford the cost of a university degree .
From that day on , I began to have long talks with Anush . We spoke about how big dreams could be broken down into small , manageable steps . Gradually , she became even more invested in her studies , inspired to push herself further .
Yet over time , something changed . Her enthusiasm faded . The fervor and energy she poured into her studies gave way to withdrawal . She would come to class unprepared and would slip away as soon as it was over as if to escape .
Again , I wanted to understand why . And once again , I sat in stunned silence after she responded . Sixteen was an awfully young age to be married .
Anush was to wed a young man she hardly knew . He was a friend of the family , and the decision had been made by her father and brother without giving her a say . A few days later , I walked down a dirt road to Anush ’ s home , fighting the distaste that lingered in my heart . I knew I would need to approach this constructively . It would require a significant mindset shift on my part if I wanted to change theirs . I shook off my aversion and knocked on the door .
I paid particular attention to her father , digging deeper into his interests and finding things we could bond over . We discussed sports and politics . I had to forget the fact that he was marrying his daughter off so young , robbing her of an alternative future — of her potential . Over time , I became his “ young friend ,” an accepted and trusted member of his community . I began to encourage her parents to allow Anush to continue her education at a university . I highlighted that the costs of education could be overcome by scholarships and grants . These long conversations never seemed to go anywhere , but I persisted .
Anush is now a university student , pursuing her interests and dreaming bigger than she had before . Being a wife and mother could still be a part of her destiny one day , but now she has the greatest opportunity : the right to explore and choose her own path .
TFA played an invaluable role in supporting and guiding me through Anush ’ s case .
23 Note : The name of the student in this story has been changed to protect her identity