SHUBHANGI

Shubhangi is one of our longest attending Balbhavan beneficiaries who we have proudly watched grow up over the past 12-13 years. She lives in one of our poorest slums with her two younger sisters and brother. Her father is one of the ubiquitous bottled water sellers plying bus stands and her mother is a maid.

 

As well as completing her final years of a BA in social work she has been campaigning for girls' education as a peer mentor for our Malala campaign. Having watched all her friends give up their education in favour of marriage, the 21 year old is determined to complete her degree and join the police force before settling down herself. Having grown up attending our evening study classes she still turns up every night to teach and inspire the next generation and is a great role model for other girls living in slums. As a peer mentor at the Malala campaign she inspired all the participants with her motivational speech where she mentioned her journey so far and encouraged girls to dream big.

 

On top of all it all she also has a passion for football and is a member of our women's team and has represented Snehalaya and Maharashtra in the Slum Soccer state and national championships. In July 2019, she also had the fantastic experience of being one of seven girls chosen by Slum Soccer to represent India in the Homeless World Cup which was held in Cardiff, UK.

 

It was the experience of a lifetime for Shubhangi as first she travelled to Edinburgh, Scotland for a training camp which included a trip to Glasgow Rangers, before heading to the Welsh capital for the tournament. The team did really well finishing in 7th place and holding their own against teams from across the world. This has fuelled Shubhangi's passion to play football professionally and we aim to help her reach her goal.