When Ravi* was found wandering alone in Mumbai’s Khar area at just nine years old, no one knew where he had come from or why he was there. Separated from his family and without care or direction, he was brought to Chembur Children’s Home (CCH) by the police in 2021. That marked the start of a new chapter in his life.
At first, Ravi kept to himself. He didn’t speak much, and when he did, it was often with anger or rudeness. He struggled in school and avoided participating in group activities. Although he was curious and eager to learn, he lacked confidence, had difficulty expressing himself, and didn’t know how to make decisions. Without parental support, he carried a heavy emotional burden.
Ravi came into contact with Sahaara through their education and life skills programme at CCH. The team noticed his withdrawn nature and began working with him slowly. Through regular classes, life skills training, games, and mentoring, Ravi began to open up. A turning point came during an identity-mapping activity where he was encouraged to draw and write about his strengths, dreams, and qualities. “I never thought I had anything special,” Ravi shared. “But drawing my own map made me see myself differently.”
He discovered a talent for storytelling and public speaking. With support from his mentor, he prepared a speech on kindness and empathy and bravely participated in his school’s annual speech competition. Using the breathing techniques and confidence-building exercises he learned in Sahaara’s life skills sessions, Ravi spoke in front of a large audience for the first time. It was a big moment for him, and the applause he received gave him the courage to try more.
Ravi then made a thoughtful decision to join the drama club instead of the basketball team, choosing what matched his love for creativity and speaking. He made friends and started enjoying school life more. His studies also improved, and his teachers saw a marked difference in his behaviour and academic performance.
Ravi is now in Grade 7 and continues to grow in confidence and skills. He looks forward to every Sahaara session, often saying, “The activities and games we do are the best part of my week.” His dream is to become an actor one day, and his teachers and mentors believe that with the confidence he’s building, he might just get there.
(Names changed to protect identities.)