From Maid to Master’s: My Journey From Mumbai Slums to Master’s in the United Kingdom

I am Rajeshwari Machender, an Indian residing in the United Kingdom. My life story begins as a middle-class girl from a South Indian family in Hyderabad. I was born in Mumbai at the Andheri Hospital on January 21, 1994. During my early years, my parents lived on a construction site in a temporary settlement called zopadpatti. As construction projects concluded, our family relocated to Ambernath. In Ambernath, I enrolled in a Marathi medium school. However, due to my father's changing work projects, we had to move to different locations, which disrupted my education. To provide stability, my father decided it would be best for me to stay with my grandmother in our hometown, Dappur, in Telangana, India. In Dappur, my father searched for a Marathi medium school, but unfortunately, we could not find one. as I was studying Marathi medium in Ambernath. Consequently, I joined a Telugu medium school, despite facing language barrier challenges. Over time, I adapted successfully.

When I reached the fifth standard, my grandmother passed away, leaving me in need of care. Consequently, I relocated back to Mumbai with my parents. However, as there was no one available to look after me, my parents sought a Telugu medium school nearby. Although no Telugu medium schools were found, we discovered a Kannada medium school within an hour’s distance. Thus, I enrolled in VPM Kannada School in Mulund, Mumbai-India, overcoming yet another language barrier to continue my education. Keep reading the story