Educating Through Sisterhood : A Story of Economic Empowerment

In a modest family home, a quiet but powerful revolution was taking place over the years in the hearts, minds, and lives of three sisters. Raised in a financially struggling household, Manisha, Karishma, and Kirtee defied the odds, ultimately all three becoming economics educators, now shape the future of countless Mauritians. As the world celebrated International Siblings Day on 10th April, their story is more than a celebration of family ties—it is a tribute to perseverance, discipline, education, and a rare sisterhood that exemplifies what it means to dream together, rise together, and succeed together.

The trio of sisters were raised in a household where the essentials were met—but just barely. Luxuries were foreign. Their father, a labourer, worked tirelessly to put food on the table. To make ends meet, he took up part-time jobs during weekends. Their mother, a homemaker, also had to work and contribute financially, all while managing the household with a delicate balance of strict discipline and boundless love.

What made their mother stand out was her foresight. She had completed her School Certificate—a significant achievement for women of her time—and although she never had the opportunity to pursue further studies, she understood the life-changing value of education. She was determined to pass that on to her daughters. She emphasised education as the key to rise out of poverty, and her words—often repeated—left a lasting impression: “One day, people will respect you for what you’ve achieved through education.”

“We grew up knowing exactly what struggle meant,” Manisha states. “Electricity bills were a concern. Sometimes, we had to wait to settle them. Buying new clothes for festivals like Divali wasn’t guaranteed. We often wore what we already had, and sometimes, what had been worn before by the other.”

School life wasn’t any easier. “We couldn’t afford tuition classes like most of our classmates,” says Karishma. “It just wasn’t possible. So we learned to study on our own. We helped each other with past papers, we shared whatever notes we could get, and we borrowed from friends when needed. We didn’t wait to be taught—we taught ourselves.”

That self-driven education became their most powerful asset. After school, they sat together, books spread across the floor, helping one another understand concepts, practice questions, and revise together. “We grew up supporting each other academically because there was no one else to do it for us,” adds Kirtee. “We became each other’s tutors.”

Despite their financial constraints, their household brimmed with an unwavering commitment to education. Their parents made incredible sacrifices to keep their daughters in school. They cut down on unnecessary expenses, lived simply, and always put their children’s learning first.

The trio, too, played their part. As soon as the eldest sister completed her degree, she began working to support the family. When it was time for the younger two to pursue their Master’s degrees, they also began working to lessen the financial burden on their parents. It was a collective effort, grounded in love, sacrifice, and a shared belief in the power of education.

Sadly, their father is no longer with them to witness the fruits of his hard work. But the impact of his sacrifices and their mother’s vision lives on. Today, all three daughters are university graduates, each holding at least a Master’s degree in Economics or a related field. What’s more, all three have become full-time educators in the government sector.

“Our mother’s biggest wish was to see just one of us become a graduate,” says Karishma. “Now, all three of us have fulfilled that and more. Her dream lives in all of us.”

Paths Aligned, Destinies Distinct

It wasn’t part of a grand family strategy for all three sisters to become Economics educators. There was no long-term plan sketched out on the kitchen table, no parental pressure to follow the same career path. “It just happened,” laughs Manisha, the eldest. “We were naturally drawn to the subject in our own ways. It wasn’t discussed or coordinated—it just felt right for each of us.”

Manisha Luckho, the eldest of the trio, was always passionate about learning and had a strong desire to become an educator from a young age. She found Economics intellectually stimulating and deeply relevant to the world around her. With a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Finance and an MSc in Applied Economics, she paved the way with determination and grace. From the early days of her studies, Manisha was focused—not just on her academic goals, but on building a balanced life. Her teaching career took root steadily, even as her personal life blossomed alongside it.

Today, she’s not only a teacher but a mother of three—including a pair of energetic twins. Managing work and family is a full-time balancing act, but she meets it with quiet resilience.

“Motherhood is demanding, especially with twins,” she shares. “But I’ve been lucky—my husband has always stood by me. He’s an economist too, a Senior Lecturer—Dr. Takesh Luckho. He understands what I go through. Whether it’s late-night lesson planning or a cranky toddler at 3 a.m., he’s there. That support makes all the difference.”

Manisha believes that no matter how tiring the journey becomes, resilience and optimism are what push her forward. “We may stumble along the way, but every step—no matter how small—gets us closer to the goals we dreamt of,” she says with quiet conviction.

Karishma Doobraz, the middle sister, holds a Bachelor’s in Economics with Accounting and a Master’s in Financial Economics. While she initially chose Economics for its practicality and empowering relevance to real-life issues, it was only after stepping into a teaching role that she discovered her deep passion for it.

“I had to reflect deeply on what truly brought me joy,” Karishma explains. “I realised that what I missed most was being around students—sharing knowledge, watching them grow, and being part of that journey.” Watching her students connect Economics to the world around them reignited her sense of purpose.

Today, she enjoys every moment of teaching, having built a meaningful bond with her students. Single and waiting for her prince charming—as she puts it with a smile—Karishma remains grounded in her values, unfazed by external pressure. Her happiness lies in her purpose, her classroom, and the joy of guiding others toward success.

Kirtee Etwareea, the youngest, had once imagined a different path—one that leaned more toward the creative arts. But financial constraints steered her toward a more practical choice. Economics, while not her first dream, soon proved to be more than just a sensible option. With time and immersion, she grew to love the subject and embraced it wholeheartedly.

She earned her BSc (Hons) in Economics with Management and completed her Master’s in Financial Economics. Like her sisters, Kirtee began her career in teaching with a sense of purpose. Now a young mother to a one-year-old daughter, she speaks candidly about the challenge of returning to work while caring for a toddler.

“It’s not easy,” she admits. “You spend the day teaching dozens of students, then you go home to more responsibilities. But my husband is incredibly supportive. We divide the work—whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or childcare. That shared effort keeps me grounded.”

Despite their similar academic trajectories, each sister has carved a distinct space for herself. Their stories are not identical—but they are intertwined by the same thread: a deep-rooted belief in the power of education, forged in the humble spaces of their childhood home.

Though they share the same subject, the same passion, and the same foundation, they walk their paths with unique grace—proving that alignment doesn’t require uniformity, and shared beginnings can lead to beautifully distinct destinations.

Sisters Before Success

While each sister has her own personality and professional style, their bond remains unshakable. “We were each other’s first teachers,” says Karishma. “We didn’t just study together; we uplifted each other emotionally. When one of us was down, the other two would pull her up.”

That tradition continues even now. Though they work in different schools, the sisters maintain a constant line of communication. “We share ideas for lessons, strategies for exams, and sometimes just vent about a tough day,” says Manisha.

Their WhatsApp group is always buzzing, not just with family news but also with tips, memes, and mutual motivation. “We send voice notes if one of us is feeling discouraged,” adds Kirtee. “There’s always someone to say, ‘You’ve got this.’”

Their camaraderie extends beyond work. Whether it’s cooking a comforting meal for one another, helping babysit, or just talking late into the night, their sisterhood is a sanctuary of trust and affection.
“Yes, we fight sometimes,” they admit with a giggle. “But it never lasts. We can’t stay angry at each other for long. At the end of the day, we know we are each other’s biggest supporters.”

The Family’s Pillar: A Mother’s Legacy

Throughout their journey, the sisters consistently return to one central figure in their narrative—their mother. The quiet architect of their dreams, she was the bedrock on which everything was built. “She didn’t just raise daughters. She raised educators, mothers, and responsible citizens,” says Manisha, her voice tinged with deep gratitude. “She was a woman who understood the importance of education, not just as a pathway to success, but as a key to unlocking the future.”

The sacrifices their mother made were countless. She gave up much of her own personal comfort, her own dreams, to ensure that her daughters could rise above their circumstances. “She sacrificed so much for us,” Karishma reflects, her voice heavy with emotion. “Her time, her comfort, even her own dreams. She worked tirelessly, not just in the home, but in ensuring we never lacked the opportunities we needed. She poured everything into us—her hopes, her love, and her relentless belief that education would be the change we needed. And today, we are where we are because of her.”

Their mother’s approach was never about grand gestures but about consistent, everyday actions that built a strong foundation. She was the one who believed in their potential before they even knew it themselves. She understood that the most important gift she could give them wasn’t material wealth, but the power of knowledge and a sense of discipline that would carry them through life’s challenges.

Now, with their own careers firmly established as educators, the sisters are living proof of what hard work and love can accomplish. They give back not only through their teachings but through their personal example. Their students, in turn, often find themselves deeply moved by the story of these three women. “When they find out we’re sisters—all teaching the same subject—they laugh and say, ‘Miss, is Economics in your DNA?’” Karishma shares with a smile.

What all three love most about being educators, they say, is the opportunity to make a positive impact on students’ lives. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow in knowledge, confidence, and critical thinking. We enjoy simplifying complex concepts and seeing that moment of understanding light up in their eyes. Being able to inspire, guide, and shape the future generation gives us a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. Every day brings new challenges and learning experiences—not just for the students, but for us as well. Not to forget the holidays also,” they laugh.

They also acknowledge the significant role of Dr. Takesh Luckho, who has always been guiding them on the Economics side.

A Message to the Girls of Mauritius

On International Siblings Day, as we scroll through countless photos of brothers and sisters celebrating their bonds, let us remember stories like these—of three sisters who walked hand in hand from the narrow lanes of financial hardship into the bright corridors of education and empowerment. They didn’t just teach themselves and each other. They now teach the nation’s future.

They are Manisha. Karishma. Kirtee.

Three women. One family. One legacy.