By Rahul Thomas | Coordinator - Donors
Sahaara believes that every person has a dream, and our work centers around ensuring that marginalized persons are able to articulate and work towards achieving their dream. Children in juvenile homes are one of the most marginalized populations in Mumbai. The tracking program of children discharged from juvenile homes help children get a start which will help them break out of the poverty cycle and fulfill their dreams of a stable future.
Sahaara staff procures addresses of discharged children from the home authorities. The trackers then traverse through labyrinthine gullies of Mumbai slums searching for the children’s residences. Through such home visits, networking with local schools, facilitating assistance in books and materials, the child is facilitated entry into formal education paving the way to a bright future.
Rahila is one such girl who has regained her right to education by the interventions carried out by Sahaara's tracking personnel.
16-year-old Rahila comes from a Muslim family in Mumbai, where she is the youngest among her four sisters and has one brother. When Rahila was 10-year-old, her parents died in a tragic accident. Her elder sister, who was married, took responsibility for all her siblings and brought them to her home. She admitted them in the local school so that they could continue education.
In September 2012, Rahila was 15 years old and studying in Grade 6. When a boy in her locality expressed his affections for her, she was attracted to him. As their relationship grew stronger, the boy convinced Rahila to steal some valuables and cash from her sister’s home and elope with him. In her immaturity, she agreed and they both fled to live at the boy’s relative’s house at Trombay in Mumbai. When her elder sister realised that Rahila is missing, she filed a missing complaint at the local police station. Later, Rahila was found with the boy at Trombay. They were confronted and brought to the police station. Rahila was sent to the Umerkhadi Observation Home and the boy was charged with kidnapping and sent to prison. Rahila’s sister and other siblings were very disturbed due to this incident.
The Sahaara staff met Rahila at the Umerkhadi Observation Home. She was counselled and helped to understand that she has a bright future ahead of her if she uses her potential, and focuses her attention towards her studies. When she realised her error, she was helped to be released so that she can continue education. Our staff also counselled Rahila’s family and encouraged them to allow her to continue schooling. Once they were willing, our staff helped her get admission back in her school.
A year later, in December 2013, the police arrested Rahila once again and presented her before the Juvenile Court in same case of theft, as she was first offender while stealing her sister’s valuables and cash. As Rahila’s elder sister sought our help to get her released, the Sahaara staff arranged a free lawyer and helped Rahila to get acquittal from her charges.
Now, Rahila continues her education through correspondence and attends a Beautician’s course at a nearby parlour.
Your generous donations have enabled Sahaara to provide what is necessary for Rahila to continue her education and have an opportunity to dream of a better tomorrow!
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By Rahul Thomas | Coordinator - Donors
By Rahul Thomas | Coordinator - Donors
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