Sangita was in my 11th grade English class at GMV School in 2013. It was my first year to teach at Gramyanchal Mahila Vidyapeeth, a girls school in India. Sangita was born and raised in the village of Bhopapur nearby. Her father is a security guard and her mother is at home. She has one sister and one brother. When she finished the high school at GMV she wanted to continue at GMV and attend college there. In 2016 Sangita received her Bachelor’s of Science degree. When I returned in 2016 to teach at GMV Sangita came up to me and told me that she was one of my students in 2013. Then she told me she was now a science teacher and showed me her classroom. Sangita teaches Science to 9th, 10th, 6th and 3rd grade. In addition to teaching at the rural school for girls that she attended (GMV), Sangita is working on her Masters of Science in Botany.
— Marilyn Johnson, Board Member
Shiwangi comes from a small village not too far from GMV school. There is no bus or train service. Her family consists of her parents, two brothers, and one grandmother. Shiwangi started at GMV in the fifth grade. Shiwangi was one of my students during her high school years. She was a leader at the school and master of ceremony for their Republic Day celebration. She said that “In every way school has changed me.” She went on to the Girls College at the GMV rural school for girls as she says she feels safe and secure at the school and the classes are excellent. She received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 2019 and did several internships after graduation. Shiwangi was married in 2025 and is now living with her husband’s family. Her husband is an engineer and she is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Zoology from our GMV college while managing her family responsibilities. Shiwangi says her life would be very different without her education. Her dreams are being fulfilled.
— Marilyn Johnson, Board Member
Shreya came to the GMV school in 9th grade. She was one of my students during her high school years at GMV. When I returned in 2019 I met Shreya again and she was completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in English and Psychology. She lived in a small village, Gajendra, near the rural school. Her village has about 700 inhabitants and about a 58% illiteracy rate for women. Shreya graduated from high school at GMV and college from GMV.
Shreya said that attending GMV schools has changed her future dramatically. As a high school student she realized she could have dreams and fulfill them. She also remarked that had she not come to this school she would have married very young and life would not be good. She would have had no chance of pursuing an education. Shreya is currently in an administrative position with the State Bank of India in Jaunpur, a district right next to Varanasi. She said this opportunity was available to her since she graduated with a college degree. Without this certification Shreya could not apply for the job. Her studies gave her personal and communications skills that she is using for her job.
Shreya said recently that she would like to return to college for an advanced degree in Psychology. Her teacher, mentor, and role model at GMV school was Dr. Anupma. She inspired Shreya to study Psychology. Shreya is fulfilling her dream of having a professional job and is looking forward to further study of Psychology.
— Marilyn Johnson, Board Member