Inspiration
Poverty didn’t stop her from winning Gold at the World Street Games
16-year-old R. Hepzibah from Chennai represented India at the World Street Games at Brazil and won 3 medals including a Gold. What’s different about this tale is that Hepzibah is the daughter of a flower seller from Chennai.
When you have a driving passion for something in life then nothing matters, money, status, education, upbringing absolutely nothing. In fact, the universe conspires and creates opportunities for you to follow your passion. 16-year-old R. Hepzibah has just proved this by winning 3 medals at the World Street Child Games held a week ago.
Hepzibah, daughter of Arrayi — a flower-seller of Chennai’s Link Road has just returned from Brazil, where she represented India in the World Street Child Games. She has bagged three medals in the competition, including 1 gold and all in the field of athletics.
Hepzibah’s journey is a source of inspiration for many more children now. Hepzibah lost her father when she was just 3 and since then her mother is the sole breadwinner of the family that includes 4 daughters.
Hepzibah realised her passion and prowess in athletics when she was in standard VI. Since then she has been participating in many local and district-level competitions. Noticing her talent, Karunalaya, an NGO for street children in Tondiarpet approached her to give her an opportunity of her lifetime to participate in the World Street Child Games. The NGO funded her for her entire trip.
Hepzibah has the potential to be an inspiring persona for all the future athletes and children who are striving for big goals in life. Despite having little means, she was pursuing her passion at whatever level was possible for her. This itself is the biggest learning anybody can take away from her story. For the time being it’s time to rejoice as this feisty girl has place India on the map of Street Child Games.