Ultimate ambition

A 19-year-old psychology student is looking ahead to her graduation after receiving help from the Post Office Orphans Benevolent Institution (POOBI).

Sumnima Rai started a BSc Psychology course at Goldsmiths, University of London, in October 2017 with the support of a University Bursary from POOBI, which provides financial support for the families of colleagues.

Sumnima’s father, Sumendra Rai, served in the British Army with the Royal Gurkha Rifles for 15 years, between 1990 and 2005. He has been a part-time mail sorter (OPG) with Royal Mail for the past 11 years at Medway Mail Centre in Strood, Kent.

‘The POOBI bursary is enabling me to get the most out of my university experience, giving me the means to afford items such as a personal laptop,’ said Sumnima.

Her ambition after graduating is to work with organisations helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, especially in newly developed and under developed countries.

‘My ambition would be to publish children’s picture books, introducing the subject of mental health to children from a very young age, said Sumendra.

‘The POOBI bursary has helped my family immensely. My wife and I have part-time jobs and we could not have supported our daughter’s further education without their help.’