Arshiya settled into Anandalay quickly. She was enrolled in a good English-medium school and received all the support she needed—safe shelter, food, school supplies, and tuition support. Sahaara also gave her regular life skills sessions, emotional support, and opportunities to grow. Arshiya did very well in her studies and passed her Grade 12 board exam with a distinction. She is now studying for a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics at a well-known college in Mumbai.

Sahaara continues to guide Arshiya in many areas of life. In the last few months, she has attended sessions on self-acceptance, assertiveness, and stress management. She is also active in hobbies like reading, football, Zumba, and arts and crafts. As part of giving back, Arshiya recently volunteered at Sahaara’s hostel for younger girls during her vacation. She helped staff take care of one girl who was unwell, showing kindness and maturity. This change—from receiving support to offering support—shows how much she has grown.

Arshiya’s move to Udaan Aftercare has gone smoothly. It is a self-run hostel where girls manage cooking, cleaning, and shopping. Arshiya is learning these tasks and is slowly becoming more independent. Her emotional maturity has also improved, and counselling sessions help her manage her feelings in healthy ways.

Her father, though not with her every day, stays in touch through weekly calls. He also spends time with her during holidays and is proud of her progress. He said, “I am at peace knowing my daughter is in the right place. I don’t have to worry anymore. Thank you so much, Sahaara.”

Arshiya says, “Being in the aftercare facility has given me the opportunity to be part of a community that values both academic achievement and personal growth. I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity.”

Arshiya dreams of becoming an IAS officer one day, so she can help others and bring positive change in society. With continued support from Sahaara, her future looks bright.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post From Shadows to Strength – Arshiya’s Journey Forward appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

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.)

The post Esha’s Journey Back to Confidence appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

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.)

The post Finding His Footing appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

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.)

The post Roshan’s Journey of Hope appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

Rani did not want to be there. For seven months, she was forced to work and was not paid even once. To cope, she began chewing tobacco and became irritable and withdrawn. She didn’t trust anyone and found it hard to focus or think clearly. She didn’t know the local language well, which made her feel even more lost. At this time, Sahaara’s team met her during their field visits. Rani was quiet and hesitant to speak at first. But with regular contact and kind conversations, she slowly began to open up.

The team offered her mentoring, counselling, and guidance on how to manage her finances. She also took part in a few training sessions where she learned to make cloth bags. Sahaara helped her with medical care during the pandemic and gave her support when she was unwell.

Rani underwent the micro-entrepreneurship training and this created an excitement within her to start a small business and take steps towards becoming free from the sex trade. She was given basic literacy classes as well which improved her confidence.  The Sahaara staff even spoke with her partner, who became a strong support. Together, they helped Rani move out of the red-light area and into a safer neighbourhood.

Her partner said, “We are thankful to Sahaara for helping us relocate. It gave Rani the chance to live a better life.” With her children back in her hometown—her sons working and her daughter continuing her education—Rani is now living with more peace and hope. She is no longer part of the trade and is looking forward to starting a small vegetable-selling business in her new area.

Rani says, “Sahaara stood with me during my darkest days. They helped me when I was sick, gave me confidence, and showed me that I can live a different life. I know I can count on them.”

Today, Rani is safe, hopeful, and making plans for her future. She is no longer stuck in a cycle of pain and fear. With encouragement and support, she is taking steps towards becoming self-reliant and bringing stability to her life once again.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post Out of the Shadows appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

During her regular visits for work, Jagruti befriended another woman who, after some months, took her for a city tour, and on that pretext, led her to the red-light area in Ghatkopar. Since she was unfamiliar with travel in Mumbai and didn’t know how to return home, Jagruti got trapped in the sex trade. She was very young and did not want to do this work. She was beaten, forced, and had no one to turn to for help. Over time, she got into a relationship with a man and had five children. However, he never supported her or their children, and Jagruti had to raise them on her own.

Sahaara staff first met Jagruti during one of their field visits in Ghatkopar. They spoke to her and slowly built trust. Seeing her situation, they offered help with her children’s education and hostel admissions. With their support, her children moved into hostels where they could study safely and grow up in a healthy environment. Two of her children are now in aftercare and continue to stay connected with their mother.

Apart from helping her children, Sahaara also supported Jagruti directly. She joined programmes like adult literacy, mentoring, medical support, and awareness sessions. One of the biggest challenges Jagruti faced was when her son went missing. The Sahaara team helped her file an FIR, and they worked with the police to find him. This gave her strength and trust in herself.

Jagruti started attending regular mentoring sessions where she was encouraged to think about her future. Before this, she used to depend on others for every decision, often influenced by friends. But now, she feels more confident and takes decisions on her own. With Sahaara’s help, she found a job as a housekeeper and has now exited the sex trade. She goes to work regularly and does her job with dedication.

She says, “I was not able to think or take decisions for myself. But the Sahaara team helped me. They supported my children in getting good education and helped me find a good job and a better life.”

Jagruti’s dream is simple. She wants to live a peaceful and respectful life and be with her children as they grow.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post A New Beginning for Jagruti and Her Children* appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

During this time, Ramesh was in a relationship with a girl in his area. Both were adults, but the girl’s family did not approve. The two decided to run away, but the girl’s mother filed a police case against Ramesh, accusing him of kidnapping. Ramesh was arrested and sent to Kalyan Prison. He had no legal support, and his mother didn’t know how to help. While in prison, he began to lose hope. He worried constantly about whether he would ever get out and even started to mix with bad company.

Ramesh came into contact with Sahaara through their Adult Literacy Class in the prison. While attending the sessions, he shared his story with the staff. The team stepped in immediately. They connected Ramesh with a lawyer, provided legal help, and supported him and his mother through the court process. The Sahaara staff also gave him basic counselling and guidance, which helped him reflect on his choices and focus on improving his life. After a few months, and with the support of the girl’s testimony, Ramesh was granted bail and released from prison.

After his release, Sahaara found Ramesh a job in a packing unit. A month later, with encouragement from his uncle, he decided to start his own small car and auto washing service. He approached the Sahaara team with this idea, and they helped him set up the business. Today, Ramesh works hard every day, earning money honestly and supporting his family. His mother continues to support him emotionally, and his uncle and aunt have also stood by his side.

Sahaara’s help changed the direction of Ramesh’s life. He now stays away from harmful people and focuses on growing his small business. He also dreams of completing his graduation and wants to become a successful businessman. “If Sahaara hadn’t helped me, I would have ended up in bad company inside prison and lost direction in life,” Ramesh shared. “I am truly thankful to Sahaara for saving my life and for helping me start my own business.” His mother added, “We thank Sahaara from the bottom of our hearts. They stood by us during our darkest times.”

With determination and the right support, Ramesh is building a better future for himself and his family.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post Washing Away the Past appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

In 2024, a parent from the community whose child is in Sahaara’s Krupalay Hostel (for girls aged 6 to 12) told Samir’s mother about Sahaara’s Mahima Boys’ Hostel. She met the team and, hoping for a better future, enrolled both her sons. At the hostel, Samir was given a safe and clean place to stay, along with healthy food, clothing, and medical care. He joined an English-medium school and also received extra help through remedial classes. He took part in counselling, life skills sessions, and different creative and outdoor activities that gave him new ways to express himself and build confidence.

In the beginning, adjusting to hostel life was not easy for Samir. He would cry often, refused to follow rules, and found it difficult to play with other children. He would sometimes throw things when he was upset or frustrated. The staff noticed that he needed emotional support and gently worked with him every day. Through steady routines and kind guidance, they helped Samir feel safe and slowly build trust. He started opening up, listening to instructions, and making friends. His schoolwork began to improve, and he started taking part in activities with excitement.

For his mother, the hostel brought peace of mind. She stayed connected through regular calls and visits, and she was happy to see her son become calmer and more confident. “I never imagined this kind of future for my son,” she said. “Thanks to Sahaara, he now has a chance to learn, grow, and dream.”

Samir now enjoys reading, playing outside, and being part of group sessions. He continues to grow in his studies and is doing well in Grade 1. He has made good friends at the hostel and is close to his brother. He often talks about becoming a soldier one day. He says, “I like Mahima hostel very much. I get to study, play, and live with many friends. Uncle (Superintendent) and Bhaiyas (Wardens) help me when I feel sad or sick.”

The changes in Samir’s life have also given his mother hope. She now believes that with support, both she and her sons can move towards a better future.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post A New Start for Samir appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

One day, Sahaara’s Parivartan team came to the community and met her mother. They began visiting often and patiently encouraged her to think about Namita’s future. Slowly, her mother started attending Sahaara’s adult literacy classes. Through many conversations, she understood that a safe place like the Krupalay Girls’ Hostel could help Namita get the care and learning she needed. Finally, when Namita was six, her mother took the difficult but brave step to enrol her into the hostel.

When Namita first arrived, she was quiet and cried a lot. She missed her mother, didn’t talk to other children, and found it hard to settle. The hostel team gave her special attention. She was enrolled in an English-medium school and received extra tuition every day. Sahaara also arranged for a counsellor to meet her once a month. This helped Namita slowly talk about her feelings and feel safe. She was also part of life skills sessions, where she learned about hygiene, self-care, and how to manage her feelings. A mentor worked with her closely, helping her feel more confident.

Bit by bit, Namita began to change. She started playing with the other girls, smiling more, and even trying out music and art. Her teachers noticed that she was slowly opening up. At the hostel, she was looked after physically too—she ate well and especially enjoyed the food served there.

In school, Namita struggled at first. But the teachers and hostel staff kept encouraging her. Now, she scores very well and is a distinction holder. She enjoys reading and painting. “I like painting because I have many pictures in my mind I want to show the world,” she says.

Namita still speaks to her mother every week on the phone. When her mother visits, she proudly tells her about school and hostel life. Her mother says, “I am thankful to Sahaara. They gave my daughter what I never got—a real chance.”

Today, Namita is confident, cheerful, and dreams of becoming a teacher. She also wants to help feed the hungry one day. Her journey shows how, with the right support, a child can truly grow and shine.

(Names changed to protect identities.)

The post A New Path for Namita appeared first on Sahaara Charitable Society.

When she first arrived at the hostel, Nadiya struggled to adjust. Her health was poor, she had low energy, and she hardly spoke to anyone. She had just completed the first standard in school and knew very little. She found it hard to focus and often misbehaved while playing. She would fight, snatch things, and act out, mostly because she missed her mother a lot and felt sad.

Slowly, with love, care, and support from the staff, Nadiya began to settle in. She made friends and started enjoying her time at the hostel. She was enrolled in a good English medium school, and she also got the chance to try new activities like singing, dancing, art, and craft. She developed a strong interest in drawing and sketching. The hostel provided her with drawing materials, and she began practising regularly, improving her skills day by day.

Two years later, Nadiya faced a very painful moment when her mother passed away in an accident. The hostel staff stood by her and helped her cope with this big loss. They gave her emotional support and stayed close to her during this hard time. They also helped her connect with her paternal grandmother, who now stays in touch through regular visits and phone calls. This gave Nadiya a sense of family again.

Over time, Nadiya started feeling more confident. She learned to take care of herself, follow routines, and behave respectfully with others. She received counselling and mentoring, which helped her control her anger and manage stress better. She began doing well in school, especially in Science and Maths. She even took part in a Science Olympiad and received a certificate. Her teachers noticed her positive behaviour and made her the class monitor.

Nadiya is now a focused and caring girl. Her grandmother says, “I never imagined Nadiya would be raised with so much love and care. I’m very thankful for how she is growing.” Nadiya adds, “I want to study well and become a zoologist or a marine diver. I want to earn on my own and look after my siblings and grandmother too.”

(Names changed to protect identities.)

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