Zakia, however, was a very good student, and with the limited resources available to her she received her Higher Secondary School Certificate (12th grade). Around that time her parents found a groom for her. She got married and everybody was happy for a short time. But shortly thereafter Zakia’s husband left town and stopped all communication with her. Later they discovered he was already married. Zakia’s life was turned completely upside down: she became an object of gossip, a burden on the family, and she lost all hope. In her own words, “I felt very small. I did not feel like going out of my home. I felt everyone was looking at me in a strange way. I felt like a burden all the time, and did not know what to do.” Luckily, Zakia’s situation was reversed through the help of DCI. When DCI was looking for educated after-school tutors for its sponsored children, Zakia applied and received a job. She says she doesn’t feel like a burden on her family anymore. While working with children she feels that she can also make something out of her life and is determined to stand on her own feet.