Perturbed with what was happening, Aakash coaxed his ageing grandmother in to telling him, what was it that they were all suffering from. And as if this was not enough for the poor boy and the whole family, his father lost a leg in an accident. This entire family of five was now surviving on

a 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.

Perturbed with what was happening, Aakash coaxed his ageing grandmother in to telling him, what was it that they were all suffering from. And as if this was not enough for the poor boy and the whole family, his father lost a leg in an accident. This entire family of five was now surviving on

a 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.

The first action that was taken, was to start the family on a protein rich diet and timely medicines. Piyush and his brother were then placed 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. Piyush’s mother was also counselled into undertaking ART.

Both the brothers stopped falling sick frequently and started attending school regularly. They even started doing very well in their academics. However, the Principal at their school reported about Piyush not keeping good company and on delving further about the matter, it was found that he was keeping aloof and did not participate in any activities at school.

When a project officer spoke to Piyush, he appeared to be very depressed. Piyush had learnt about his condition from someone and thought he was not going to live for very long. Piyush was counselled through various sessions about how by taking medicines regularly he could have a normal life. The counselling sessions helped Piyush getting back into his normal routine. He again started doing well in his studies, joined Karate, represented his school at a Karate competition and even won a third prize. His name and photographs were even published in the local newspapers.

When everything seemed to have settled for good, Piyush learned from some mis-informed source that ART treatment guarantees normal life for only a couple of years, and started slipping into depression once again. He was again counselled and helped out of this state.

Piyush finished his 10th grade and enrolled for a course in Mahindra Pride School. On completion of this course, he found the job of a Customer Relations Officer at a five star hotel. He wants to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. He seems to have finally found his calling. And has definitely reached the stars in this journey.

Sameer Sheikh is 17 years old. He is occupied as a rickshaw puller, in Bibwewadi. An occupation he has taken to, in order to get his father a heart surgery. He is the sole breadwinner for his family, and has to work very hard to make ends meet and save up for his father’s operation too.

Sameer works very hard and barely has time for anything. He does not have friends to share any light moments with, all his friends from his past have moved on in different directions. But he does remember one thing he did with all his friends, when he was all but seven years old. He remembers that he and 15 other friends of his, from the neighbourhood were playing when he met Surekha Didi, his teacher to be for a year, and guide for the whole life.

Teacher Surekha, asked them all to come to a class nearby and learn to read. They all went there, out of curiosity, and that was the beginning of Sameer’s education. He remembers the beautiful pictures on the wall, the teaching aids, songs and stories that Surekha would tell them. But what he remembers most is her kindness and patience with which she taught them all. He remembers how she didn’t let go of his hand on his first day to a big school, because she knew he was very anxious. He would go to her, when he had any difficulties.

After securing 70% marks in his secondary examination, Sameer wanted to enrol for an electricals’ course in ITI. However, destiny had some other plans for him. This was when his father took ill and needed the surgery. The family had to borrow money from places to pay for the surgery and it is upon Sameer now to repay all the borrowed sum.

Sameer’s father feels heart-broken to see Sameer labour the way he does, but has resigned to fate. But Sameer hasn't given in. He has joined evening classes in a college nearby and is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Commerce. He is determined to etch his own path.

As a kid, Mehejabeen used to see children in her community going and coming back from somewhere, at similar times of the day, every day. She saw they would all be carrying bags with them. She could never figure out where did they all go. They all seemed quite happy going wherever it was

that they were headed. She thought her parents would be unhappy if she asked them about it, so one day she stopped a rather kind looking girl who was on her way and asked her where she was going. And she replied, “Why! I am going to school.”

Little Mehejabeen had never heard of this word ever before. That evening, she dotingly asked her father to take her to school someday for an outing. Her father told her that she was a girl and need not go to school at all. It was the first time Mahejabeen’s father broke her heart. Her mother however noticed how upset she got and tried explaining to her later that she would want Mehejabeen to go to school but they just didn’t have enough money. The little girl understood very little of what was told to her. She just knew that she too wanted to go to school but was not allowed to.

Soon after this incident, Mehejabeen’s mother found about Swadhar and Akshardeep and came to seek help. She told the teachers about their financial condition, her husband’s attitude and also Mehejabeen’s keenness to go to school. The teachers in turn counselled Mehejabeen’s father and persuaded him to send her to study under the Akshardeep project. And there was no looking back for her after this.

Mehejabeen turned out to be a brilliant student. She got selected to study at Vidyaniketan, a school for highly meritorious students. She secured 78% marks in her secondary examinations and has chosen to pursue a study of Science for her higher secondary level.

She has been undertaken in the Girls’ Education project of Swadhar. She wishes to become a pharmacologist. When asked what she wants to do first after she starts working and earning, she coyly smiles and says, “I want to take Abbajaan and Ammi for a pilgrimage to Mecca and then to Disneyland in America.” That coy smile touches her eyes.

Hansa’s is a story of not just success. It is a story of inspiration, courage and determination. Hansa’s fight for survival begun right from his birth. Last minute complications during his birth was probably the reason why he could not walk at all. The poor boy crawled around for all his activities, but was quite self-dependant even as a little boy. Because of his determination and constant efforts he had learned taking care of not just himself but also of his little baby sister, Nikita. He was a doting and very protective brother.

While Hansa’s physical disability was never a hinderance for him, his father could never come to terms with it. He held the mother responsible for Hansa’s handicap, and started treating her and the children very badly. Over the years, he took to drinking, would beat up the wife and children and finally one he just left them to start living with another woman.

With the sole breadwinner gone, Hansa’s mother had to do something to earn a living. She tried taking up various jobs, but could not continue doing anything for very long. She finally took to selling lemons at a the vegetables market nearby. This was when a neighbour recommended their case to Swadhar. Hansa and his sister Nikita were immediately undertaken in the Akshardeep project. After a little time passed, Hansa was sent to the institute, Helpers of Handicapped in Kolhapur. He stayed at the institute for three years during which two surgeries were performed on his legs, but his handicap could not improved. Swadhar finally brought him back, and helped him get a tricycle so that he could move around on his own.

While Hansa was in the institute, his sister Nikita was sent to Asha Kiran shelter where she could pursue her education. On returning, Hansa turned down Swadhar’s offer to get back to school. He said he wanted to help his mother in earning for the family. He wanted to work and ensure that his little sister continues to study, and makes a good life for herself. Swadhar therefore helped Hansa in setting up a vegetable shop, which he has been running quite successfully, along with his mother.

Nikita continues to study. She has come back home from the Asha Kiran shelter. She studies at the municipal school of the area. Hansa wants her to become a doctor and help many people like himself. He says when Nikita starts working, he would like to pursue his education then. He wants to attend art college someday.