Nadiya lived in the red-light area of Ghatkopar with her mother, who was always busy with work and could not spend much time with her. The area was unsafe for a young girl like Nadiya, and her daily life lacked routine, safety, and care. She was attending a preschool run by Sahaara, where the staff noticed she was smart and eager to learn. They spoke to her mother about sending her to a safer place where she could grow well. After many counselling sessions, her mother agreed, and Nadiya was admitted to Sahaara’s Anandalay Girls’ Hostel in February 2019. She was just eight years old at the time.
When she first arrived at the hostel, Nadiya struggled to adjust. Her health was poor, she had low energy, and she hardly spoke to anyone. She had just completed the first standard in school and knew very little. She found it hard to focus and often misbehaved while playing. She would fight, snatch things, and act out, mostly because she missed her mother a lot and felt sad.
Slowly, with love, care, and support from the staff, Nadiya began to settle in. She made friends and started enjoying her time at the hostel. She was enrolled in a good English medium school, and she also got the chance to try new activities like singing, dancing, art, and craft. She developed a strong interest in drawing and sketching. The hostel provided her with drawing materials, and she began practising regularly, improving her skills day by day.
Two years later, Nadiya faced a very painful moment when her mother passed away in an accident. The hostel staff stood by her and helped her cope with this big loss. They gave her emotional support and stayed close to her during this hard time. They also helped her connect with her paternal grandmother, who now stays in touch through regular visits and phone calls. This gave Nadiya a sense of family again.
Over time, Nadiya started feeling more confident. She learned to take care of herself, follow routines, and behave respectfully with others. She received counselling and mentoring, which helped her control her anger and manage stress better. She began doing well in school, especially in Science and Maths. She even took part in a Science Olympiad and received a certificate. Her teachers noticed her positive behaviour and made her the class monitor.
Nadiya is now a focused and caring girl. Her grandmother says, “I never imagined Nadiya would be raised with so much love and care. I’m very thankful for how she is growing.” Nadiya adds, “I want to study well and become a zoologist or a marine diver. I want to earn on my own and look after my siblings and grandmother too.”
(Names changed to protect identities.)