Meet Killaka Sandhya, a remarkable beneficiary of our smartphone program who has overcome significant challenges to achieve national recognition in sports.
Sandhya is a 9th-grade student at Nethra Vidyalaya School for Visually Challenged, one of our Tier 1 schools under the Project Springboard Network. She comes from Gummalaxmipuram in Vizianagarama district of AP, a remote village where opportunities for education and sports, particularly for visually impaired children, are extremely limited. Her father, a poor farmer, supports four children, including Sandhya, in this challenging environment.
Despite these obstacles, Sandhya has always demonstrated a deep commitment to her education and a determination to succeed. In 2017, she joined Nethra Vidyalaya at the age of 7. Her passion for learning and desire to overcome her visual impairment became evident early on.
Sandhya’s life changed significantly when she became a beneficiary of a smartphone provided by Vision-Aid in collaboration with Trees for Life. This smartphone became an essential tool in her journey. It enabled her to stay on top of her schoolwork and tutorials, even while traveling for sports tournaments. Through WhatsApp, she received regular updates and notes from her teachers, ensuring that her academic progress continued uninterrupted. Additionally, the phone, equipped with various apps designed for visually impaired users, helped her develop skills crucial for her sports activities and maintain contact with her family and friends, providing much-needed emotional support.
Sandhya’s dedication and the support provided by the smartphone program soon led to significant achievements in sports. In April 2023, she was selected to play for the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team in Nepal, Pokran. Although the team finished as runners-up, they earned a place in the competition in Birmingham, England. There, Sandhya played a pivotal role as a bowler, helping the team secure a victory against formidable opponents from Australia and England. This win brought pride to her country and earned Sandhya widespread recognition.
Her achievements didn’t stop there. Recently, she won a silver medal in the discus throw at the National Junior and Sub-Junior Paragames, further solidifying her status as an exceptional athlete.
Sandhya’s success has had a transformative impact on her community. Her parents, who once did not fully recognize the significance of her accomplishments, now proudly support her endeavors and receive praise from their entire village.
Looking ahead, Sandhya aspires to continue her education and further excel in sports, with the dream of becoming a cricketer and representing India on the global stage. Vision-Aid and Nethra Vidyalaya have been instrumental in supporting her journey, helping her realize her dreams and overcome the barriers posed by her visual impairment.
