Physically challenged Helena Khatun returning home from her SSC examination centre in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh. Struggling with congenital physical challenge and poverty, she has got reward for her perseverance, achieving GPA 4.89 in the SSC. FILE PHOTO: STAR

In spite of her physical disabilities, 15-year-old Helena Khatun continued her studies and passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations from Ghaghra High School in Gafargaon upazila.   

Born with growth deficiencies in her legs and right hand, Helena passed her SSC exam from science group this year and secured GPA 4.89.

Helena's firm determination for study overwhelms others, said Mukbul Hossain, headmaster of Ghaghra High School.

The girl, who cannot even move normally like others and hails from an ultra-poor family, had to work hard to continue her studies, the headmaster said, adding that she passed her Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations from the same institution in 2015 with GPA 4.85.

Helena, youngest among six siblings, lost her sharecropper father over a year ago.

During the exams, she had to go to Khairullah Government Girls' School centre in the upazila headquarters, about seven kilometres from her house, by a battery-run auto-rickshaw.

When she was a student of Class III and had to crawl to her classroom, the school authority arranged a wheelchair for her, Mukbul said, adding that they also provided her education free of cost and helped her with free coaching.

While talking to this correspondent, Helena said she was not fully satisfied with her result and will work harder for better results as she wants to be a doctor in future.

Expressing gratitude to her teachers and classmates, Helena said they all were very supportive to her.

She also thanked her mother who always inspired her to continue her studies.

Recalling her earlier days, Helena said, seeing her devotion for education, her mother Fajila Khatun used to take her to school in her arms about a kilometre from their house.

Fajila said as her daughter was good in her studies since the primary level, she extended all possible support she could to her.

Gafargaon Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Dr Shamim Rahman said Helena has shown how one can overcome challenges and be an inspiration for others.

“We wish her more success in future,” the UNO said, adding that they will provide financial support to the poor meritorious girl.