Arjun*, a 15-year-old boy from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, faced many challenges growing up. His family struggled financially, and when he was seven years old, his father passed away from tuberculosis. His mother, who struggled with mental health issues, became emotionally abusive, making life difficult for Arjun and his three siblings.
The family couldn’t afford to pay school fees, so the children had to drop out of school. They often went hungry and were left to take care of themselves. While Arjun’s two sisters were taken in by their uncle, Arjun and his younger brother remained in unsafe conditions until the police found them on the streets. They were then taken to the Chembur Children’s Home, where their lives began to change.
When Arjun arrived at CCH in 2019, he was shy, quiet, and had trouble with reading and writing. He felt unsure about his future and had little interest in school.
That’s when Sahaara stepped in. Sahaara’s remedial classes became a turning point for him. Through these classes, Arjun received extra support in subjects like English, Marathi, Math, and Science. The classes also focused on life skills to help him cope better with challenges. At first, the lessons were tough for Arjun, but with patient guidance, he began to improve. He started to read and write more confidently, and his performance in school steadily got better.
The teachers at Sahaara played a big role in his progress. They not only helped him with academics but also encouraged him to join school activities and overcome his fear of speaking in front of others. Through mental health and mentoring sessions to help Arjun build emotional strength. Over time, he grew more confident and began interacting with his classmates and teachers.
A few months after moving to CCH, Arjun’s mother passed away. This was a difficult time, but with the love and support of the staff, Arjun found the strength to move forward.
Arjun says, “I enjoy coming to classes and talking to my teachers. They inspire me and encourage me to do my best. This makes me believe in myself.”
Today, Arjun’s hard work is reflected in his academic results. He consistently scores between 85-95% in most subjects and has grown into a motivated and confident student.
Arjun dreams of studying computer science or electrical engineering. With the knowledge and life skills he’s gained through classes, he feels confident that he can achieve his goals. Exposure trips and other activities have also helped him learn about the world and prepare for the future.
With the right support, he has gone from a shy, struggling child to a confident young man with a bright future. With continued guidance, Arjun is ready to achieve great things.
* Names changed to protect identities.
