Child exploitation is rife around the planet. The New Zealand Herald and World Vision NZ are running a campaign to put a spotlight on the issue. / Video by Mike Scott
When Kiran was a baby, she was so sick her mother thought she was going to die.
Mumta spent a fortune on medicine to save her daughter's life, and today Kiran is a beautiful, healthy 14-year-old girl.
And Kiran, in a lovely piece of symmetry, dreams of being a doctorherself so she can save other babies, just like her.
It seems an unlikely dream when you visit Mumta and Kiran in their home.
Agra is well-known for its shoe industry and children walk past piles of leather and other material left-over from the manufacturing. Photo / Mike Scott
Every rupee counts in this family and the money Kiran could bring into the household was considered much more important than allowing her the luxury of attending school.
But since a World Vision co-ordinator spoke to the villagers, attitudes towards children's schooling has changed.
''It was since World Vision came,'' says Mumta.
"They said send your children to school so they can stand on their own two feet, make money, get a job and live securely. I have little but I really want to educate my children.''
Before the conversation with World Vision, Mumta liked the idea of educating her daughter but it all seemed too hard.
Money was extremely tight and there was enormous pressure on her to work to feed the family.
''Because of what I was told,'' Mumta says, ''I realised no matter how bad my situation is, education is more important.''
Agra is known for its shoe industry. This women stitches shoes together. Photo / Mike Scott
There's enormous pressure on Kiran to succeed at school and fulfil her mother's belief in her – and to justify the sacrifice her family have made to see her educated.
But she's doing well at school - and if she keeps doing well there's every chance her dream will become a reality.
There are government grants for poor families and those children who achieve more than 80 per cent in their overall grades can get a scholarship to higher education.
