Rising from the Slum: A Young Baker’s Journey

My name is Durga Devi, I was born in 2007. I grew up in a slum where not many people get the chance to dream, and even fewer get the chance to chase those dreams. After discontinuing my studies after 10th grade, I felt stuck. I didn’t know what I could do, or where I belonged. But there was one thing that always made me happy: watching videos of people baking cakes and bread. Since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to become a baker and I dreamed of being a young baker.

When I joined LP4Y, I was nervous at first. I didn’t know how I would fit in, or whether I would be able to learn anything. But from the very beginning, I was welcomed with support and encouragement. The program helped me build my confidence, improve my communication skills, and understand how to work in a team. I also learned how to manage time, speak in public, and set real goals for myself.

During the program, I had the opportunity to do an internship at a government school in Palvadi. It wasn’t related to baking, but it gave me the chance to take responsibility and contribute to something meaningful. I learned how to be disciplined and how to face challenges without giving up. The experience helped me grow, and I became more determined to follow my dream.

After completing the program, I finally got a part-time job as a baker in a French bakery. For the first time in my life, I was doing exactly what I had dreamed of mixing dough, decorating pastries, and learning new techniques every day. I felt proud of myself, and I could see my future starting to take shape.

But things at home weren’t easy.

The bakery is far from where I live, and my parents didn’t support my decision at first. They were worried about the distance and the low income. I was earning only ₹8,000 per month, and they wanted me to work in a nearby supermarket in our slum, where I could earn ₹10,000 instead. For them, the choice was obvious: more money and closer to home. But for me, that would mean giving up everything I had worked for.

My father works as a housekeeper, and my mother stays at home with my younger brother. Both my father and brother struggle with alcoholism, and there’s often tension at home. It was hard to make them understand why this job mattered so much to me. I had to explain again and again, this bakery job is not just about the salary, it’s about my passion and my growth. I knew that if I could just hold on and prove my commitment, things would change.

And they did.

After weeks of discussion and tears, my parents finally agreed to let me keep the bakery job. It wasn’t easy, but I think they saw how serious I was, how much this meant to me. They saw that I was happier, more confident, and truly working hard.I still earn ₹8,000 now, but I know that this is just the beginning. Very soon, I’ll move to a full-time position, and my salary will double. But more importantly, I’ll be doing what I love, every single day.

I changed my life. LP4Y gave me the tools, the support, and the courage to fight for my dream. I learned that I don’t have to accept the limits that society, or even my own family, places on me. I can choose my path.

To any young person out there who feels trapped or discouraged, I want to say: don’t give up on your dreams. Even if it’s hard. Even if no one believes in you at first. With the right support, you can become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

Today, I am not just a baker, I am a changemaker,  someone who took a small spark and turned it into something bright and full of hope.

Now I am rising,  just like dough in the oven.

Durga Devi - Youth from TDC Chennai, India