Kashinath never knew what it was like having a father since his mother Miss Shettevva Metri was a former Devdasi.  And very soon he also became devoid of his mother's love. He was merely 12 years old when his mother passed away. But he did not let this tragedy affect his education. He topped his class that year and then cleared the "Morarji Desai and Kittur Rani Chennamma" entrance test, post which he was awarded complete scholarship for his secondary education including his food and accommodation.

   He secured 88% in class 10th without any extra coaching or guidance.
He then opted for science in class 11th and enrolled himself in New Composite Pre-University College Raibag. To arrange for his tution fees for class 11th, he took a loan of Rs 3500 from his maternal uncle. From the past 3 months, he has been struggling to arrange for his books and notebooks.

I came to know about Kashinath through Shridevi Kamble, a staff of Mahila Abhivrudhi Maththu Samrakshana Samsthe (MASS). Mass is a membership organization for Devadasi women in Belgaum, Karnataka. I told Ms. Shridevi, that I wanted to meet him with all his documents of proof. The same day, he came to the MASS Raybag office, where I checked all his documents to do the financial inspection.

We then sat together to have a little conversation. I asked him, what he wanted to become in future. At once he said, " I want to become a teacher. I want to teach Chemistry and Maths." "

Why do you want to become a teacher?" I asked with curiosity. I was into tears when I listened to what he had to say. He said, " I know this pain very well, this pain of struggling so hard to be able to study. I will definitely help children like me, with all the resources that I can afford... Actually, it's like a lamp that I want to light up, with as much as oil that I can put in." I had no more questions for him. To still be sure about everything, I talked to Ms. Shridevi in the evening, inquired more about his past conditions, understood his expenses & requirements and documented them.

Although government has granted Kashinath a scholarship for his hostel including food, his tution fees, computer class and daily expenses still need to be covered. For your reference, here are the details-

	For 1st year	For 2nd year
Tution Fees	3500	3500
Books & Stationary	2500	3000
Computer Classes	6000	NA
Coaching Physics, Chemistry, Maths & Biology	NA	6000
Daily Allowance (Food, Travel, Phone,  clothes,etc.)	12000	12000
Total	24000	24500

Your contribution can help Kashinath with tution fees, computer course fees, books, stationery and daily expenses. Please help me do my bit in ensuring that Kashinath completes his higher secondary education.