When he first arrived at NOH, Shakti had never been to school. Though initially placed in Grade 4, he was unable to keep up with the lessons and was shifted to Grade 1 to help him build a strong foundation. He also faced several behavioural challenges—frequent anger outbursts, rudeness towards adults, and a tendency to take small items that didn’t belong to him. He was mostly withdrawn and preferred to keep to himself. He showed little interest in school or group activities and often got into conflicts with his peers.

In 2019, Shakti started attending sessions with Sahaara under Project Pragati. At first, he was uncooperative—skipping sessions, watching television, and showing arrogance towards teachers. But the Sahaara staff remained consistent and patient in their approach. They invested time in one-on-one sessions, mentoring him through life skills, and encouraging him to take his education seriously. These sessions helped him begin managing his anger, improving his behaviour, and building trust with his mentors.

Gradually, Shakti’s attitude began to change. His class attendance improved significantly, and he began participating actively in the life skills activities. He is now respectful towards teachers and peers, more composed in his interactions, and speaks politely. His language and communication skills have grown stronger, and he has shown improvement in his academic performance as well.

Speaking about his journey, Shakti says, “I enjoy speaking with my teachers. I can confide in them and tell them my problems.” With support from Sahaara, he continues to grow in confidence and purpose. His dream is to become a footballer. Through continued mentoring, academic support, and structured activities that build his personality, Sahaara is committed to helping him reach his full potential.

(Name changed to protect identity.)

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It was here that Sahaara first came into contact with Roshan through Project Pragati. At the time, Roshan was rebellious and disinterested in studies—his past experiences had left him emotionally bruised and mistrustful. But Sahaara saw potential in him and began walking alongside him in his journey toward healing and growth.

After learning basic literacy at the Home, Roshan was admitted to Class 7, and Sahaara began to support him more deeply. He received regular tuitions in subjects like English, Marathi, Maths, and Science. He also participated in life skills and socio-emotional sessions designed to help him manage fear, build confidence, improve communication, and understand basic financial literacy.

Initially, he struggled with discipline and focus. But the Sahaara team encouraged him every step of the way, rewarding small wins and offering patient mentorship through every difficulty. Slowly, Roshan began to change. He started taking interest in his studies and responded well to the support given. His behaviour improved, and he began to express himself better in class.

By the time he reached Class 10, Roshan had become more serious about his education. With guidance from Sahaara’s teachers and access to extra coaching, materials, and consistent support, he completed his board exams and scored 67%. This was a proud moment not just for Roshan, but also for the team that had stood by him.

Today, Roshan has applied for admission in an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to pursue a course in electronics. His dream is to become an electronics engineer. Speaking about his journey, he says, “I love my teachers. I enjoy the classes. I can express myself now because of them.”

(Name changed to protect identity.)

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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.)

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At CCH, Aditya was quiet and withdrawn. He had trouble focusing and didn’t show much interest in schoolwork. Though he was placed in Grade 4, he couldn’t read simple words in English or Marathi. He would often fall asleep during class and refused to write. His handwriting was messy, and he had trouble writing on the lines. He would mix up letters, forget how to form them, and was unsure when to use upper or lowercase. Teachers noticed he was easily distracted and rarely completed tasks.

When Sahaara staff began working with Aditya through their education and life skills programme, they observed his struggles carefully. They identified signs of dysgraphia—a learning challenge that affects writing skills—and immediately adjusted their approach. Sahaara’s trained teachers designed special activities to help him. They used visual aids, games, and hands-on tools to engage him in learning. Instructions were broken into small steps, and teachers sat with him one-on-one, sometimes holding his hand to help him write on the lines.

With this continuous support, Aditya slowly began to improve. He started enjoying the games and activities and began to stay awake and alert during lessons. “I enjoy being a part of the activities and games during class,” he shared cheerfully. He became more confident and was soon able to read small words and short sentences by himself. He also started writing more neatly and was better at staying focused.

Sahaara’s support has not only helped Aditya in academics but also in emotional and social development. His concentration and behaviour have improved. He now interacts more with others, participates in classroom discussions, and looks forward to learning new things.

Aditya is still on his learning journey, but the change is remarkable. He now dreams of becoming a dancer and enjoys practising his moves during his free time. With continued support from Sahaara’s team, he will receive both academic help and life skills training to keep growing.

Aditya may have started in difficult circumstances, but with care, guidance, and consistent encouragement, he is writing a hopeful new chapter in his life.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

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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.

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In 2022, family issues prompted a police officer to recommend that Vijay’s mother send him to a government home in Mumbai for better care and support. Vijay was moved to a home called Chembur Children’s Home, but adjusting to this new environment was extremely difficult for him. He felt mentally disturbed and often expressed his anger through aggression and abusive language. He was disruptive in class and showed little interest in his studies, which made it hard for him to make progress.

For several months, Vijay’s attitude remained unchanged, and he continued to struggle with mood swings and irregular school attendance. However, things began to improve when Sahaara’s staff took the time to interact with him on a more personal level. They offered him counselling and helped him understand how to manage his emotions. Through months of guidance and support, Vijay slowly opened up, becoming more cooperative and engaged.

As Vijay started to feel more supported, his behaviour began to change. He grew friendlier with his teachers and classmates and began participating in the activities and lessons offered by Sahaara. His attendance improved, and he started to show interest in his studies. The anger and abusive language that once characterised his behaviour disappeared, and Vijay started to acknowledge his mistakes and work on correcting them.

Today, Vijay’s academic performance reflects the positive changes in his life. He now has an overall percentage of 62% in subjects such as English, Marathi, Science, and Maths. Thanks to Sahaara’s Pragati project, he is receiving not only educational support but also life skills training, which is helping him develop in a holistic way.

Vijay enjoys the classes provided by Sahaara, saying that they are fun and full of activities. He appreciates the care and love shown by his teachers, and he now dreams of becoming a cricketer in the future. 

* Names changed to protect identities.

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During this time, Shardul came in contact with Sahaara’s Project Pragati, which provides mentoring, college and vocational training sponsorships for young adults in this Government-run Aftercare Home. Initially, Shardul was very reserved and hesitant to speak with the Sahaara mentor. Over time, with regular one-on-one mentoring sessions, he started sharing his challenges. When he faced job instability, the mentor helped him understand the importance of work commitment, patience, and financial planning instead of quitting out of frustration.

With Sahaara’s consistent support, career guidance, and emotional encouragement, Shardul slowly gained confidence. He enrolled in vocational skill-building programs to improve his job prospects. He also started forming friendships with others at the Aftercare Home, which helped him feel a sense of belonging. He participated in sports and recreational activities, which helped him manage stress and stay motivated.

Today, Shardul has secured a stable job and is managing his finances better. He has started saving money, something he had never done before. With Sahaara’s support, he now has a clear plan for his future. He dreams of becoming a businessman and is working towards financial independence.

Shardul shares, “I am very happy now as I got regular help from Sahaara with my current job. I am earning and saving more money.”

*Names changed to protect identities.

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