meagre pension of Rs. 4000/- that the grandmother was
entitled too. Forced into poverty, the first things to be
removed from the family’s budget were Aakash and his brother’s
schooling, and their medicines. The absence of medicines made
his mother very sick and she took to bed completely.
It was at the age of 13, in the year 2005, when he found
a newspaper notification about Swadhar’s Rays of Hope project
center at YCM Hospital in Pimpri. When he approached for help,
the family was immediately started on being given a portion
rich grocery supply and medicines. Since Aakash’s mother was
in a severe condition, Swadhar shifted her to an institution
for care. In addition, an artificial limb was arranged for the
father, so that he is able to go out, work, and earn whatever
little he can manage for the family. He was also taken to
Sassoon Hospital for regular monitoring of his CD4 count and
for his ART treatment. With its close association with a
municipal cooperator, Swadhar helped Aakash’s father in
opening an STD/PCO calling booth.
Aakash and his brother were registered under the Bal
Sangopan Yojana, a state government run program that
provides alternate family care to children in circumstances
wherein their biological parents are not able to care of them
due to crisis situations; thereby preventing
institutionalisation.
After completing his 10th grade, Aakash started doing
small odd jobs. He now earns Rs. 15,000/- every month. He
takes good care of his family now. While he continues to seek
counselling at the Rays of Hope project center, he seems to
have found his silver lining to the clouds in his life.