Rising from ashes like phoenix, as many as 11 students, who were once child labourers, rescued and monitored by the National Child Labour Project (NCLP), have passed in the Higher Secondary Examinations here on Wednesday.

As many 13 students, who are monitored by the NCLP, Coimbatore, appeared for the exams from Coimbatore among which five were girls and eight boys.

Leading the flock, M. Devi, once a worker in an agricultural land and an accounting aspirant from Tirupur, had secured 987 marks.

Having been rescued by the Labour Department from a farmland in Vallakundapuram near Udumalpet, Devi, one of three girls of a single parent added that the result has certainly rejuvenated her famiy.

“My father deserted us when I was a little child. We are three sisters and our mother has gone through several hurdles to raise us,” said Devi.

Her mother Bommi, who worked in the farms nearby her residence however felt happy for the result claiming that she was ready to allow her daughter to study.

“I was the one who discontinued her education. It will help the family by and large. But I do not want her life to end like mine and want her to study,” she said.

M. Vishnu Prabhu, the son of another single mother, who has secured 956 revealed that he wanted to become a Marine engineer.

“I was working in a catering services when the NCLP found me. Though my mother did not like the idea of me continuing my education, I grabbed on to the opportunity,” said Prabhu, who is currently being taken care of by her aunt, who is a daily wager.

However, his mother too is happy with his choice now and the result.

Prabhu, who is eager to study, is also confident that he would contribute financially fit the marriage of his sister, who is studying 9th standard in the same NGNG Higher Secondary School in Othakalmandapam.

According to V. Vijaya Kumar, Project Director of NCLP, Coimbatore, all the 11 students who had passed are to receive Rs. 6000 annually from the Government to pursue higher education.