“I want to grow up to be a botanist.” 

It’s not everyday that you hear a 12-year-old talk about her future with such vehemence, precision and articulation. 

As the gravity of the specialization she aims to achieve sinks in, the first thing one notices about A. Sopana is her clear, articulate speech.  

“Plants and trees provide us with fruits and vegetables. It is important to learn about them and look after them,” says the 7^th standard student at Government High School, Vedanatham, Tuticorin. 

Sopana has been attending Ilam Mottukal classes, being implemented at the school, since past three years. She attributes growth in her interest in science and botany to a large extent to the interesting activities conducted under the project. 

“Events such as Science Mela and Talent Hunt organized under the Ilam Mottukal project are very encouraging. This year one of my classmates participated in the Talent Hunt event. She wrote an essay on ‘Importance of Obeying Traffic Rules’ and won the third prize. Now I have decided to participate in next year’s Science Mela and present a model on plant growth,” says an excited Sopana. 

“The one and a half hour spent in Ilam Mottukal classes are very helpful. Here we finish our daily homework and learn new things through the task book,” she says. 

“We sit in small groups and work on the activities mentioned in the task book. In spoken English classes, we frame questions and put them to each other in English. If we make a mistake, the tutor corrects us.” 

And what does she plan to do after graduating as a botanist? 

“Well, apple is my favorite fruit, but it does not grow in our state. I think I will research ways of successfully growing it here,” says Sopana, thoughtfully. 

And just like her, the Ilam Motukal project is helping several girls of the region march on towards realizing their dreams.