A forty-seven-year-old mother of three who graduated with honors has been desperately searching for a job for the last eighteen months. She is currently standing at traffic lights, asking passersby for food so her children do not go to bed hungry.
A forty-seven-year-old mother of three who graduated with honors has been desperately searching for a job for the last eighteen months. She is currently standing at traffic lights, asking passersby for food so her children do not go to bed hungry.
This heartbreaking story was publicized by the non-profit organization KwaZulu-Natal Pay It Forward (PIF). PIF reported that the woman has exhausted all possibilities in her job search and has reached a point where survival has become her only priority.
According to PIF, the mother does not ask passing drivers for money or luxury items. She approaches traffic lights hoping to get something to eat for herself and her children, holding a cardboard sign that asks only for food, not money, a coat, or a car.
The organization noted that the daily reality she faces is often cruel. While some drivers show kindness, others throw food out of their car windows. Once, she was given moldy bread.
“There are times when things are simply thrown out of an open window. There are times, like today, when she is given what you see in the pictures. She cuts off as much mold as possible and dries the rest so that she and her children can eat.”
A more touching aspect of her story is her high level of education. PIF specified that in 2006, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) with honors, specializing in criminology and psychology. Furthermore, she completed a course in desktop publishing (DTP) and several certification programs, and was studying for a degree in social welfare before financial difficulties forced her to stop.
Despite her qualifications, finding a job has proven impossible. “She is 47 years old, and she cannot find a job. Her current job is looking for a job, trying to keep a roof over her children's heads, and getting some food in their stomachs.”
The organization stated that they have known this mother for many years, although the full extent of her difficulties only became apparent recently. PIF recalled that she once asked for cardboard to make a sign, but never imagined circumstances that would lead her to begging for food at traffic lights.
The organization strongly urged the public to react with compassion rather than condemnation, reminding people that financial problems can affect anyone. “Please, let us be humane. None of us is immune to ending up at the bottom of the ladder. It can happen much faster than we want or can imagine or believe.”
While most children his age spend their evenings playing games, Shubhankhar Giri, a third-grade student, moves through crowded train carriages selling chocolate to support his mother and younger sister.
After school, he works for hours in intense heat, earning only a few hundred rupees daily to help the family stay afloat. Behind every piece of chocolate he sells is a child carrying responsibilities far beyond his years.
He stated: 'If I don't sell chocolate, my family won't survive.' This situation highlights that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, play, and dream, rather than worrying about how to feed their family.
For those who wish to support Shubhankhar and his family, the following bank details have been provided: Beneficiary Name — Suparna Dutta, Bank — Bank of India, Dumdum branch. Account Number — 414110510000591, IFSC — BKID0004141. Contact numbers: +91 6291095185 and +91 8910513818.
