Roshani Kumari Sah is 15 years old, and she has already taken significant strides towards becoming an empowered young woman—thanks to her three-year journey with the GEMS program. A club member at Uthan Community Learning Centre (CLC), Roshani credits the program for shaping her digital, linguistic, and social skills—tools she now uses not just for herself but to bring change in her community.
English proficiency and mentorship: Before joining GEMS, Roshani was hesitant to use English. Now, she speaks with ease and pride, having learned to communicate with her friends in English and confidently introducing herself in public forums. The club environment, which
encourages peer learning and practice, played a significant role in building her fluency and comfort with the language. "I like talking to my friends in English. The GEMS Club was fun. I can now introduce myself in English and can also share my views with ease." During the interview, she represented her community in a group activity organised by another organisation, where she was selected to speak about adolescent girls' challenges. Her ability to express herself confidently led her to an opportunity she embraced with clarity and poise.
Digital skills: Roshani recalls how she had never used a computer before joining GEMS. Today, she can confidently use a laptop, create documents, and teach others. GEMS not only helped her acquire technical skills but also made her comfortable navigating the digital world, a critical tool for education and employment in the 21st century. "We didn't know how to use a computer, but now we do. We help and teach each other."
Social awareness and leadership: Perhaps the most transformative part of Roshani's journey lies in her development of these qualities. Through GEMS, she gained knowledge about social issues like child marriage, gender discrimination, and the importance of girls' education. What sets her apart is how she chose to act on this knowledge. Roshani, along with her peers, visited communities—especially Muslim-majority areas— where girls were not being sent to school. They persuaded parents to see the value of education and to allow their daughters to pursue it freely. Her efforts resulted in two girls being enrolled in school, indicating the real-world impact of the awareness instilled through GEMS. "We used to go to those areas and ask them to send their daughters to school. Some listened and agreed." GEMS not only gave her information but also instilled the courage to speak out, even when she faced resistance.
Aspirations and inspirations: Roshani plans to study commerce and dreams of working in a bank—not just for her own career but to share financial knowledge within her community. She sees education as the key to independence and believes that marriage should never limit a woman's opportunities. "Even if I get married, I don't want to stay inside and depend on my husband. I want to stand on my own feet." Her mature perspective, shaped through years of learning and reflection, demonstrates the deep-rooted impact of GEMS. She has internalised the values of equality, self-reliance, and empowerment. From learning how to speak in English to advocating against child marriage, Roshani's transformation is an inspiring example of what can happen when young girls are given space, support, and opportunity to grow. Her journey underscores how programs like GEMS play a pivotal role in building confident, digitally literate, socially aware young leaders—especially in rural and traditionally conservative areas. "One person who knows can help many. I want to be that person in my community."