Alan* is an 18-year-old boy from Hyderabad who is now studying in Standard 9. His early life was stable while his mother was alive. She managed the home, and the family lived with a sense of routine and care. However, after her death due to illness, everything began to fall apart. His father started ill-treating him, and the home environment became unsafe. Seeing the situation, Alan’s maternal uncle took him and his elder brother in, promising to support them.
For a short time, things seemed manageable. His elder brother began driving an autorickshaw to earn, but soon developed a drug habit, which led to conflict in the household. After the uncle got married, he refused to continue caring for the boys and asked them to leave. With no place to go, the brothers started living in the autorickshaw. During the day, Alan spent time around the neighbourhood, trying to cope with an uncertain life.
Alan had never attended formal school. Wanting a different future, Alan made a bold decision. With help from friends, he travelled alone by train to Mumbai. For nearly ten days, he wandered without support before reaching Vasai, where he stayed near the railway station. The police eventually noticed him and intervened. When his brother came to take him back, Alan refused to return. He was then referred to Child Helpline and admitted to the Children Home in Chembur in 2022.
He was enrolled in a Marathi-medium school in Standard 7 under the Right to Education policy. As a Hindi speaker with no prior formal schooling, he struggled with both the language and academics. In Standard 8, he joined the Sahaara classes. Despite performing poorly in an initial assessment, he showed determination and asked for a chance. With extra academic support and continuous encouragement, he began improving.
Sahaara provided him with additional lessons in English, Marathi, Science, and Mathematics. Over time, he not only strengthened his academic understanding but also improved his behaviour. Initially, he would skip classes and act stubbornly. But through patient mentoring and counselling, he began to change his approach.
Today, Alan is a sincere student who completes his work regularly and participates actively in class. His academic performance has improved, and he shows respect towards teachers and peers. Reflecting on his journey, Alan shares, “The support from Sahaara has helped me understand studies better and given me hope for a better future.”
He now dreams of becoming an Army Officer, living a dignified life, and owning a house of his own. His journey reflects steady progress, built on resilience and the right support at the right time.
*Name changed to protect identity