When Felicita Kujur left for Ohio on August 5 to study media, marketing, journalism and communication at Sinclair Community College under the U.S. Department of State Community College Initiative Programme (CCIP) Scholarship, she carried more than just her luggage. She took with her the blessings of her teachers, good wishes of the sisters at Loreto Rainbow Homes and jhinga achaar lovingly packed by her mother. As a first-generation learner, who joined Loreto Rainbow Homes in Class III at the age of 11, Felicita could scarcely have imagined this journey even a few years ago.
St. Xavier’s College Kolkata to Sinclair Community College — the journey in between
Felicita in Ohio
For Felicita, life took a transformative turn at Loreto Rainbow Homes, a cherished initiative by the late educationist Sister Cyril, dedicated to providing education and a better life for underprivileged girls. Felicita completed her Class XII at Loreto Day School Elliot Road in 2023 before pursuing Sociology at St. Xavier's College.
Sister Priyanka Topno, director, Loreto Rainbow Homes, recalls her first interaction with Felicita, “I asked her what was her dream in life... and Felicita being an introverted child, took some time to respond. She said she wanted to prepare for UPSC exams and join the civil service. I was elated and was convinced that she would work hard to reach there. I also noticed her special caring nature for her younger Loreto Rainbow sisters, whom she often visited. She also brought her college friends to visit them. I’m delighted that Felicita has got this opportunity and has overcome many of her challenges.”
Felicita with her mother Juliana Kujur at Kolkata airport on August 5, before leaving for Ohio
While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Felicita was selected by Topno for the Community College Initiative Programme. She also passed the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) and successfully completed the interview process to study at Sinclair Community College, Ohio.
“When I first learnt that I had qualified, I was on cloud nine. Although I had little hope due to the numerous documents required, miracles happened. Everyone — from my teachers and the sisters at Loreto Homes to even strangers — came forward to help. My mother was overjoyed because she never imagined such a possibility, and she was proud of me too,” Felicita told My Kolkata from Ohio.
Overcoming hurdles
Felicita (kneeling down on the extreme left) with her peers at Sinclair Community College in Ohio
Felicita’s family belongs to a Scheduled Tribe community. Her father was a cook at Serampore College and her mother, a domestic help. Neither of them had attended school. At Loreto Rainbow Homes, Felicita received an education and a better lifestyle. Felicita also received full support from her family to pursue her education.
“Felicita joined the Loreto Elliot Road Rainbow Home when she was 11 and was admitted to Loreto Day School Elliot Road. Initially, she was very introverted, hesitant to speak, and uncomfortable with both Hindi and English. Over her 11 years at the hostel, she blossomed into a bright, young girl — helpful and responsible. Once she understood the importance of English, she pursued it relentlessly. Adolescence brought its own challenges, but she overcame them as well,” said Bishakha Sen, assistant director, Loreto Rainbow Homes.
Felicita (extreme left) at Sinclair Community College
It was all going well until the pandemic broke out. In 2020, Felicita was preparing for her ICSE exam at Loreto Rainbow Homes hostel when she lost her father. At the age of 19, the young girl accompanied her uncle to Ranchi with her deceased father's hearse. She returned to the hostel to prepare for her exams, and despite all the emotional turmoil, Felicita managed to score 78 per cent. She improved her score with an 87 per cent in the ISC exams.
Felicita is not only resilient about her own education and achievements; teachers and sisters at Loreto Rainbow Homes have often found her motivating other girls as well. “Felicita understood that without education, it would not be possible for her or her other sisters in the hostel to progress. She would motivate them to study. She particularly helped academically weak students. There was one child who was going to drop out. Felicita and her friend prepared worksheets, narrated the content in a simple way in vernacular. Today, the student has not only completed Class X but is also determined to pursue college. That is the power of peer empathy and action,” Sen added.
Dreams made of hopes
First international travel, first flight — Felicita's excitement reached its peak when she left for Ohio. “I was really excited and felt energetic the moment I landed in Ohio. The experience was beyond comparison. The whole journey was amazing, as this was the first time I had ever travelled by plane,” she exclaimed.
After one year, when she returns to Kolkata, Felicita plans to complete her graduation from St. Xavier’s College. She hopes that her experience at Sinclair will help her secure a job faster in India so that she can support her mother. With a keen interest in art and handicrafts, Felicita wants to learn animation.
Loreto Rainbow Homes family bidding farewell to their beloved Felicita
The good news has brought about a change in her attitude too and made her more responsible and confident, as noted by Topno. She shared, “I remember once we got the good news we were preparing for the travels and in this process, I saw Felicita open to new learning and willingness to take responsibility. This is not just good news for me but for all of us in the Loreto Rainbow Home family to see our student, sister, didi and daughter use her potential and head towards the unknown with a spirit of sharing it with her sisters in the Loreto Rainbow Homes. My blessings to Felicita for her fruitful learning over the year.”
Signing off from Ohio, Felicita said, “I am grateful to Sr Nirmala, Sr Clara, Ms Purnima, and all the staff and my Loreto Rainbow sisters at the hostel. I did expect that one day I would achieve something big, but this was way more than my wildest dreams! When there is a hunger to become something, you cannot let that hunger die. There is only one life — and sometimes only one chance. One should not miss an opportunity or settle for less. It's important to keep searching, working, and finding the best version of yourself. Most importantly, never forget your roots, the hunger and the people who helped you.”
