GIRL LEADERS' STORIES
KAVITHA
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Kavitha is a Council Leader at KickOff Solutions, a primary school teacher, a frisbee coach, and a B.A. English student from Chennai. She is a single mother of two and had to pause her education at the age of 19 due to family and financial responsibilities. Balancing caregiving duties, teaching, and financial pressures often came at the cost of her personal wellbeing.
Through KickOff Solutions’ Higher Education Fund, fellowship stipend, therapy support, and leadership programmes, Kavitha resumed her studies and rebuilt her confidence. During the Solve Ninja programme, she mobilised 20 students for a community clean-up drive and trained 65–70 villagers on waste segregation. She took part in mental health upskilling and safeguarding programmes and attended the KickOff Solutions convening, Ignite, in Lucknow, where she engaged with 30 girl leaders from across the country.
Today, she coaches 30 girls in frisbee, facilitates sessions for mothers on emotional wellbeing and supporting adolescent girls, teaches primary school children, and runs a small home-based venture preparing herbal idli and dosa podi.
“From a small village girl to a strong coach – I turned struggle into strength.”
#BREAKINGBARRIERS
RASHMI
Dhemaji district, Assam
Rashmi is a Council Leader at KickOff Solutions from a small village in Dhemaji district, Assam and is currently studying in class 12. After losing her mother and grandmother, she took responsibility for managing her household and caring for her father, who has speech and hearing impairments.
With family loss, caregiving responsibilities, and limited exposure, Rashmi was once shy and hesitant to speak up, with little space for confidence or leadership to grow.
Through KickOff Solutions’ Skilling Programmes, safeguarding training, and mental health upskilling, Rashmi gained the confidence to speak up, ask for help, and support others. In 2023, she travelled by flight for the first time to attend a national sports training camp and later attended the KickOff Solutions convening, Ignite, in Lucknow.
During the Solve Ninja Programme in May 2024, she mobilised six peers, worked with the village secretary, and helped install eco-friendly bamboo dustbins across the village. Today, she is part of a 22-member youth collective working with parents to prevent harmful behaviours among minors and promote safeguarding awareness.
“KickOff has always stood by me. Whenever I face difficulties, I know I’m not alone.”
#BREAKINGBARRIERS
MUNNA
Ajmer, Rajasthan
Munna is a football player, youth coach, and first-year B.A. student from Ajmer district in Rajasthan. She began playing football four years ago and earned her AIFF D License, enabling her to coach boys and girls.
In a community where girls’ education and sport were discouraged and even frowned upon, Munna faced resistance for choosing football and continuing her studies.
Through KickOff Solutions’ mentorship and leadership programmes, she strengthened her voice, confidence, and coaching skills.
Today, she coaches children and encourages girls in her village to study, play, and believe in themselves.
“Football taught me courage. Now I help others believe in themselves.”
#BREAKINGBARRIERS
MONALISA
Barapathar village, Meghalaya
Monalisa is a class 11 student, a part-time teacher for classes 1–5, and an emerging community leader from Barapathar village in Meghalaya. In a community where girls were discouraged from playing sports, she faced resistance from parents and neighbours who believed that football was “not for girls.”
Rather than giving up, Monalisa began visiting homes, speaking with parents, and encouraging girls to step onto the field. Challenging deep-rooted social norms and constant criticism, she chose courage and persistence, focusing on helping girls reclaim their space in sport and education.
Through KickOff Solutions, Monalisa received mentorship, financial support, and a safe space to grow. She attended the Storytelling Workshop in 2024, participated in the Solve Ninja programme, and travelled to Lucknow in September 2025 to attend the KickOff Solutions convening, Ignite, where she engaged in discussions on safeguarding and mental health.
Today, Monalisa continues to guide girls in her community to study, play, and dream freely, and aspires to join the Gandhi Fellowship to deepen her work in social transformation.
“Earlier, I was just living a simple life. Now I’m living the life I want and helping other girls find their path too.”
#BREAKINGBARRIERS
ISHA
Slum Soccer
Defying Odds, Scoring Goals.
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In a patriarchal, financially challenged family, Isha's life was restricted to chores while her brother enjoyed better education. Her resilience led her to defy norms and play football, amidst neighborhood disapproval. Relocating to Nagpur after her father's job loss, she continued facing educational disparities.
Isha's turning point came with Slum Soccer, where she excelled in football and championed sports for girls in conservative areas. Her efforts and leadership earned her a KickOff Solutions scholarship, supporting her mathematics and statistics education and a computer purchase.
#BREAKINGBARRIERS
