Esha first joined Sahaara’s education centre in 2022. The staff noticed she had a lot of potential, but she had to leave after a year because her grandmother enrolled her in another NGO. In 2024, she rejoined Sahaara and was welcomed into Level 2. When she returned, the team saw that she was struggling again—especially with reading, handwriting, and handling her emotions. The staff began helping her through extra reading and writing lessons, using fun activities like phonics games, picture reading, and letter-tracing worksheets. Her teacher also gave her daily handwriting practice and encouraged her with praise and small rewards. Slowly, Esha started improving in her studies and became more confident.

At the same time, Sahaara helped her understand and manage her feelings. She attended life skills sessions and listened to stories about emotions. In role-play activities, she learned how to solve problems by talking instead of fighting. Esha became calmer and began expressing herself better. She formed a strong bond with her teacher and felt safe at the centre, something she did not always feel at home. Her father continues to do what he can, but her home environment remains emotionally tough, with limited support from her family.

Now, Esha is doing well in school. She enjoys learning and works hard. She no longer fights and tells others, “I will talk instead of arguing.” She wants to become an Army Soldier when she grows up so she can protect her country and help others. Esha said, “Earlier I used to get angry and fight. Now I have learned to talk calmly. I like coming to Sahaara because my teacher understands me and helps me learn better.”

Her family has also noticed the changes. They said, “We have seen a good change in Esha. She is calmer and more focused now. We are thankful to Sahaara for supporting her in studies and helping her become stronger.” Esha’s growth shows how emotional care and consistent support can help a child move towards a better future.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

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In his early years at the centre, Aman was irregular in attendance and lacked interest in studies. He found reading Hindi and English difficult and preferred to spend time with friends instead of completing homework. The Sahaara staff kept encouraging him during this time, helping him stay connected and ensuring he did not drop out completely. These consistent efforts laid the foundation for what would later become a major turning point in his life.

That change came in 2023, when Aman began to reflect more seriously on his studies. With his mother’s concern and gentle guidance from friends and Sahaara teachers, something clicked. The Sahaara team at Project Pratham stepped in with goal-setting lessons, personalised attention, and engaging learning activities that reignited Aman’s motivation. Slowly, he began showing up regularly to class, participating in lessons, and improving his reading and writing skills.

Sahaara also provided school sponsorship and learning materials to ensure finances would not be a barrier. The teachers worked patiently with Aman, using interactive methods and peer learning sessions to make education enjoyable. Aman responded well, becoming more confident and hardworking. He also learned important life skills like discipline and setting personal goals.

Today, Aman dreams of becoming a cricketer and looks up to Virat Kohli—a well-known Indian cricket player known for his determination and success on the field. “I had no interest in studies earlier,” Aman shared. “But with Sahaara’s support, I improved and gained confidence. Now, I want to work hard to achieve my dreams.”

His mother is proud of his progress. “Sahaara’s support has changed Aman’s attitude toward studies. He is now more focused and confident. We are thankful for their help in shaping his future.”

From a boy once unsure about his place in the classroom, Aman has grown into a focused and hopeful learner. Thanks to the support of Project Pratham at Turbhe, he is now walking confidently toward a brighter future.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

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In 2019, she was enrolled under Project Pratham at Sahaara’s Turbhe centre, and that decision changed the direction of her life. The Sahaara team noticed her struggles early on—irregular attendance, lack of interest in sessions, and hesitation in engaging with her peers. Rather than giving up on her, they patiently worked to support and encourage her.

Through regular mentoring and counselling, Aarfa slowly began to open up. The staff spoke with her individually, helped her reflect on her interests and abilities, and made her feel safe and understood. They introduced her to Life Skills sessions, which included activities that built communication, self-confidence, and responsibility. Bit by bit, Aarfa started attending more regularly and showing interest in learning.

Sahaara also involved her in extracurricular activities like Sports Day and holiday camps. Aarfa took part with excitement and even won first place in a running race, something she had never done before. This recognition helped boost her self-esteem, and she began volunteering to help with Balwadi sessions and Sahaara events. One of her proudest moments was when she was invited to lead a Life Skills session at her school, something she never imagined doing before.

Aarfa’s family played a supportive role. Her parents enrolled both her and her younger brother at Sahaara, trusting the team to guide them well. While her academic consistency was affected during her time in the village, Sahaara’s continuous efforts helped her rebuild her learning habits and confidence.

Today, Aarfa is regular in class, proactive, and full of energy. She participates actively in sessions and leads by example. Her teachers have seen a remarkable change in her—from a hesitant girl to a confident learner and young leader. She now speaks up, engages with others, and supports her peers.

“Sahaara has helped me gain confidence and become more active in my studies and activities. I am happy that I can now participate, volunteer, and even take sessions to help others,” Aarfa said proudly.

Her family added, “We are grateful to Sahaara for supporting Aarfa in her education and personal growth. She has become more confident, responsible, and engaged in her studies.”

With a heart full of hope and a dream of becoming a teacher, Aarfa is determined to work hard and give back, just like Sahaara has done for her.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

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In 2021, Arman was enrolled in Sahaara’s Ghatkopar education centre, where he received the support he needed. Initially, he was irregular in attendance, hesitant to participate in class, and uninterested in learning. The teachers at the centre noticed this and began working closely with him, encouraging him to attend regularly. They focused on improving his reading and writing skills by giving him daily exercises and making him read aloud in front of the class. They introduced a structured learning routine where he practised both short and long words before gradually moving on to reading full sentences. These methods helped him overcome his difficulties step by step.

Sahaara’s teachers not only helped Arman academically but also provided emotional encouragement, making him feel more confident. They acknowledged his small achievements, motivating him to continue learning. Slowly, his reading and writing improved, and he started engaging more in class. He became more active in completing his assignments and developed a habit of regular study. The personalised attention he received helped him overcome his hesitation, and he began looking forward to school. His family, especially his father, expressed deep gratitude for Sahaara’s intervention, as it allowed Arman to access quality education without adding financial strain to their household. His father regularly attends parent meetings and actively supports his children’s education.

With continued support from Sahaara, Arman’s confidence has grown, and he now attends remedial classes regularly. His academic performance has improved, opening doors for a better future. His family is relieved, knowing that he is getting the education he needs. Arman dreams of becoming a police officer one day, and with his growing skills and confidence, he is determined to work towards his goal. His family believes that this transformation will bring long-term positive changes, not just for him but also for his siblings.

“I am very happy with my progress, and the way I have built up my confidence to reach my current level is only because of Sahaara’s help,” Arman says. His father adds, “I am very thankful for the changes Sahaara has made in Arman. He has developed a keen interest in studying, reading, and writing, and I am very happy with his progress.”

*Names changed to protect identities.

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Aarif did not know Hindi and was extremely shy, avoiding interaction with others. He had never attended school and, at the age of 10, he still did not know how to read or write. No school was willing to admit him because of his age and language barrier, leaving him without access to education.

In late 2023, Sahaara conducted a survey in the Ghatkopar red-light area to identify children who were out of school. The team met Aarif’s mother and learned about his situation. Understanding the urgency, the staff took steps to get him into school. Initially, schools were reluctant to admit him due to his age and lack of Hindi skills. However, the Sahaara team persistently followed up with school authorities and provided assurances that Aarif would receive additional academic support. After months of effort, Aarif was finally enrolled in school.

To help him adjust and succeed in school, Sahaara provided remedial classes to improve his Hindi and academic skills. Since his mother’s work schedule made it difficult for her to prepare meals regularly, Sahaara also provided daily meals through their feeding program, ensuring that he received proper nutrition. Through regular interaction, Aarif also received social and emotional support, helping him build confidence and engage with other students.

Over time, Aarif began improving in reading, writing, and speaking Hindi. His confidence grew, and he actively participated in class discussions. His teachers noticed his progress, and he was given the role of a monitor at the Sahaara education center. His mother, who once had little hope for his future, is now actively involved in his education. She ensures he attends school daily and participates in remedial classes. Aarif now dreams of becoming an officer when he grows up and is motivated to study hard.

“I am very thankful to my Sahaara teacher, who enrolled me in school. Before this, I had never attended school, and no one helped me,” Aarif says. His mother adds, “The quality of teaching and care provided by Sahaara is very good. Because of them, my son was admitted to school, and his educational journey has begun towards a bright future.”

*Names changed to protect identities.

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Adjusting to school was a challenge for Omi. Language barriers made it hard for him to understand lessons, and his strict home environment affected his confidence. He was shy, quiet, and hesitant to participate in classroom activities. He rarely spoke to his classmates and struggled with reading and writing. Throughout the year, his lack of engagement affected his academic performance, making learning feel like a burden rather than an opportunity.

Sahaara’s staff noticed Omi’s difficulties and began working closely with him to improve his learning experience. They introduced interactive teaching methods, using flashcards, educational videos, and storytelling to make lessons easier to understand. To encourage him to interact more, he was paired with a classroom buddy who helped him with his studies and motivated him to participate in activities. Small rewards, such as stickers and words of encouragement, helped build his enthusiasm for learning.

As Omi received personalized attention, his confidence began to grow. He started asking questions in class and showing interest in reading and writing. His academic performance improved, and he began participating in activities that he once avoided. At home, his family played a role in his progress by establishing a regular study routine. Although his father continued to maintain a quiet home, the structured routine helped Omi stay focused and disciplined in his learning.

With Sahaara’s continued support, Omi’s progress is expected to be long-lasting. The learning techniques and confidence-building strategies will help him face future challenges in his education. His family’s involvement in his studies ensures that he has a stable environment to continue growing. Omi now dreams of becoming a police officer, and the foundation he has built through Sahaara’s intervention will help him work towards his goal.

“I am very happy with my progress, and the way I have built up my confidence to reach my current level is only because of Sahaara’s help,” Omi says. His father adds, “I am very thankful for the changes Sahaara has made in Omi. He has developed a keen interest in studying, reading, writing, and participating in activities. I am very happy with his progress.”

*Names changed to protect identities.

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As it is said, “there are always periodic opportunities to give up, while every single moment is an opportunity to persevere”. Neeta, one of our participants from Turbhe is truly a live example of perseverance.

Neeta comes from a large family comprising of six members. As their house is too small for six members, they have moved to a rented house to accommodate the whole family. Neeta’s father works as a fruit vendor and is the sole breadwinner of the family. Her mother takes care of the household.

Neeta has been attending our education program since Balwadi (Early Childhood Education). She is now 16 years old and is a part of our youth program. She is a diligent and dedicated student and is determined to be a teacher.

She studied in a Hindi medium school from Grade 1 to Grade 9. Although the quality of education was average in that school, Neeta would still try to go through all the lessons on her own. When she passed Grade 9 in the same school, she wanted to move to a school with better quality of education, so that she would score good marks in Grade 10 board examination.

Having known Neeta since her early days of education, the teachers were confident that she will make the most of the opportunity to study in a good school. Accordingly, she was shifted to another school and was also enrolled in a good home tuition. Neeta focused on her education despite all the struggles and challenges at home as she was also expected to help her mother in household chores.

Seeing her determination in studies, the tuition teacher offered her an opportunity to give tuition for students from Grade 7 to Grade 9. Neeta happily grabbed the opportunity and worked with her tuition teacher for a month. Neeta also volunteers at our Education Centre by helping weaker students in their studies. Finally, Neeta graduated from Grade 10 in June 2022 by scoring 73% and has recently been admitted to college for her higher education, a step closer towards achieving her dream of becoming a teacher!

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Harsh* lives in the Turbhe red light area with his grandparents, mother and brother. He is currently in Level 4 of Sahaara’s remedial classes.

During the lockdown, Sahaara started online classes as physical classes were restricted. Harsh’s mother had a smart phone and Harsh would walk a few meters away from his house where he could connect to a Wi-Fi connection and attend classes. Understanding that internet recharges will be a financial burden on the families, Sahaara started facilitating internet pack recharges for the children. Harsh too, was able to avail of the internet plan recharge.

But unlike Harsh, many children had no access to smartphone and were missing out on academics. While Harsh was able to attend the Sahaara classes, he noticed that many other children who did not have smartphones were unable to do so. He began to help 4 other students attend online classes by sharing his smartphone!

At 11:00 am, he goes to a Level 2 students house and helps him attend class. At 12:30 pm, he goes to a Level 1 students house and helps the child attend class. At 3:30pm, he attends his own Level 4 class, and at 4:15pm, he helps two Level 3 students to attend class!

He also makes sure that everyone does their homework properly. Harsh has been doing this for almost a month now from Monday to Friday, and all of it with a smiling face!

*Name changed to protect identity.

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