Shirish’s Journey: From Dreams on Hold to Education & Employment Success

Education plays a crucial role in Shirish's life, and with the support of Sarthak, he has experienced a positive transformation. Shirish, a young man with a hearing impairment, always dreamed of continuing his education. But after finishing 12th grade, his family’s financial situation forced him to stop studying and take up a job to support them. He wanted to at least complete his graduation, but with no job and no way to finance his education, his dreams seemed out of reach.

Things changed when a hearing-impaired friend told him about Sarthak Educational Trust’s Varanasi Center, where he had received training and job placement support. Encouraged by this, Shirish contacted the center in 2023 and joined Sarthak’s skill-building program.

Shirish’s journey wasn’t easy at first. Initially, Shirish lacked professional sign language skills, but through the sector-based training provided by Sarthak, he gained invaluable knowledge. Through Sarthak’s program, he learned everything from how to communicate in a workplace using sign language to key skills needed in the retail sector. He connected deeply with Sarthak’s sign language trainer, who patiently taught him every step of the way, including professional etiquette and customer service skills.

Shirish’s hard work paid off when he secured a job as a Sales Associate with Being Human, a company known for empowering people with disabilities. A year into his job, Shirish received a salary hike from ₹10,000 to ₹13,000 per month, a sign of his progress and value to the company.

Most importantly, with his new job, Shirish could finally finance his education. He enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) program and is now completing his first year. Balancing work and studies, Shirish is overjoyed to be back on the path to achieving his dreams. His family, who once needed his financial support, now proudly stands by him as he manages both his job and education.

"I never thought I could go back to studying, but Sarthak helped me turn my life around," Shirish says. Grateful for the support he received, Shirish now encourages other persons with disabilities to keep pushing forward, to never give up on their education, and to make the most of opportunities available to them.

Shirish’s story is a reminder that with the right support, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.