Harish, 20, is a Dalit man, and the first college graduate in his family. He has completed his Bachelor's degree in Tamil, and is in his first year of M.A. in Tamil Literature at a college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Having his lost his biological father at an early age and a stepfather two years ago, he now needs to support his single mother - a homemaker -  and two younger sisters, one in the 12th grade and the other in the 5th.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, he was offering tuitions at home for school students and earning some INR 3500 per month. This source of income has all but dried up, as parents are hesitant to have their children attend tuition classes and expose them to infection risk.

He is finding it excruciatingly difficult to support his family, educate his two sisters, and also pay for college expenses. His mother wants him to quit his studies and find full-time employment. However, Harish aspires to complete his M.A. and become a  teacher/researcher in the future, with eventual plans of getting a Ph.D.

Harish seeks financial support that will enable him cover the costs of his M.A. education, and hopes to find a job such as that of a night-time security guard in the Perambur-Moolakadai-Ayanavaram-Madhavaram-Vyasarpadi area, so he can study in the day time while also bringing in income.  

An amount of INR 40,000 will cover four semesters of  college costs including semester fees, book fees and exam fees. Your support will enable him to complete his education and also work part-time to support this family  financially.

He has reached out for help via the Orinam support group that he has been attending.