Having been through different phases in life — all of us can agree that not a lot of everything we studied in theory back in college or school can actually be used when we start working. Then why do colleges and schools impose cut-offs post 10th and 12th board exams? Is a college education confined to only class toppers and above average students? And without a college education, there is no guarantee of acquiring a job. Magdalene Allan (Maggie), a Bengaluru-based nursing graduate saw a major problem in the cut-off system for a college education. She decided to reform a part of it so that people who have been rejected a college education due to low-grades, can come and educate themselves again — enough to be employed. And this initiative is for women specifically.
Maggie is a nursing graduate from Bangalore Baptist Hospital, College Of Nursing. Maggie and her father have been involved in community service and social work for years together. She tells us how she co-planned this initiative with her dad and why she began this initiative. "I never was into nursing in the first place, MBBS was what I wanted to do. My goal behind wanting to become a doctor was to be of financial assistance to my mother and father. "My father, David Manavalan is the founder of True Happiness Charitable Trust in Bengaluru — which is an organisation that involves itself in a lot of social work. After I completed my nursing and began working, I understood that my theory knowledge was of no use at work. Hence, I decided to start this initiative of starting a college — True Happiness Institute of Professional Education for those individuals who have fared badly in their grade 10 and 12 board exams in order to give them a chance to stand on their feet again. To feel the pride of being employed. It's a move to empower women who have not been encouraged to pursue their dreams of employment and give them a platform to show that they too can make a difference," she says.
Did you know that not a lot of nurses in our earlier generations were actually qualified for the job? They would just assist doctors and learnt while on the job. If that was the case with the older generation, why not with the current generation as well — where people are so much smarter with higher IQs. "It really is unfair that students who receive a low grade in their board exams are not even considered for a college education and therefore not given jobs later. Our institute will be reaching out to the unemployed women of Bengaluru City and give them a two-year Diploma in Healthcare Assistance to be training in nursing. This institute is affiliated to NITI Aayog and the courses we follow have curriculum built under the central government of India," says Maggie.
The massive challenge for Maggie was finding teachers for her course," As of now I will be taking on the responsibility of teaching with a few friends of mine who are volunteering to help out. While working in a hospital can be stressful and tiring, this job will be more relaxing. Not a lot of the teachers would be accepted as teachers elsewhere with just a Bachelor's degree. But our institute gives the platform for passionate teachers without question. These reasons have opened doors of opportunity and we have quite a few teachers who have signed up and ready to educate."
Post all the diploma education both in theory and practicals these students are sent out to establish themselves as employed, strong and independent women, "These women who complete their diploma are all up and ready to become healthcare assistants, they don't get into mainstream nursing as the term 'nursing' is reserved for those who have either a bachelors or a masters degree in nursing. Their duties are very similar to those of nurses in hospitals and these women also qualify to become home-based health care assistants to individuals who are confined to their beds due to long overdue illness as well," says Maggie. With the rates of unemployment increasing by the day at least Maggie and her dad are all about empowering women to make opportunities for themselves. Well, girl power it is!
