“I want to be a doctor!” Shandhya, 15 years old

“Both my parents were day laborers. We (my parents, my younger sister and I) lived from hand to mouth. My parents were devoted Hindus. When I was a little girl they became Christians. For this reason our close relatives in the village (Daulatpur) stopped every contact and my parents were not taken on as day laborers anymore. 
At that time, I was admitted to a nearby primary school, even though our family struggled financially very much. In this crisis my father got seriously ill. The medical treatment was expensive and my parents could not afford the expenses, which lead to my father’s death. I had to stop schooling as we were in sorrow and financial crisis. 
One day a Christian pastor came to our village and spoke of an opportunity for me to live in a boarding school. So I applied at the Baptist Mission Girls Hostel in Dinajpur for permanent residency until my general education would be completed. This opportunity gave me new hope and a chance to be positive about the future! I’m 15 years old and a 9th grade student now. My mother is still working hard to support our family. Until I can contribute to her income it might take some more years. 
However, I want to become a doctor in the future! I want to be able to help poor people like my parents to get good medical treatment even though they struggle financially. My father’s death still grieves me, but it also pushes me to stay focused on my dream to be a doctor one day! I want to make a difference in my society! I want to be a doctor who shares God’s love by caring for the needs of underprivileged people in our society. I would appreciate your prayers for me and my family! Thank you very much!”