Maina is only seven and it came as a shock for the Ashram staff that she had been working in a circus for the last two and a half years. Financial conditions of her family made her father send her to a circus in lieu of a meager amount. Getting up at 5 in the morning, five hours of rigorous practice sessions, performance in 4to5 shows per day and going to bed at 12 at night were part of her daily routine. She hardly used to get any time to rest or play.

At the age of five, she carried the responsibility of her five younger siblings and never enjoyed her own childhood. “I wanted to play like other children and go to school but perhaps I was destined for all these sufferings.” She is being given non-formal education in Balika Ashram and is very sharp at it. She enjoys all the activities at the Ashram and is happy to be with other children with whom she can play and have fun.