Jeyalakshmi
“I find myself in the children’s achievements”
Jeyalakshmi, Responsible for the Outreach Unit at the MEC
Q: Jeya, can you explain your work at the MEC?
I am responsible for the Outreach Unit which is looking at capacity building of our partner organizations. We focus on trainings in the domain of education, health and socio-economic development. In these interventions, we target different groups, among others the poorest of the poor, HIV/Aids direct or indirect affected kids, street children, exploited children, disabled children. 41 projects / organizations are supported.
Q: With your work, you help the poorest people among the poor, why did you take this decision?
I started my career very young as a special educator, thanks to a friend who guided me to child rehabilitation. I did not really plan, it just happened and I was lucky that someone guided me. Later, I went through training and passed with distinction. I love the children and each progress they make gives me tremendous satisfaction.
Q: Are there some difficult moments, moments where you doubt?
It is up to me to cope with this. I mean, it is my choice to follow this path, because I want to be an important person, for myself but as well for my family and my community. This job gives me joy and I grow in it!
Q: Which changes would you like to see?
Children should sustain the learning once they leave school and transfer it to others. I believe that to have a breakthrough we need a systematic approach, whether it is a school, a hospital, an organization or a village. We need performance indicators and a monitoring system that can be understood by the local people. In this way, we will have the impact we wish for.
Q: Tell us a bit more about yourself
I belong to a hotel family. My father always showed a lot of affection and interest for me. My mother is a very practical woman and a model for emotional stability. They gave me the freedom and I wish all these children would get such a chance. Now each year, I grow and learn in this organization, I am so thankful to be able to work here.