Protect 1000s Children at India's Busiest Stations

A bus station. A frightened boy. A life changed, because of you. 

Ten-year-old Vivaan* lives in a remote village in Jharkhand State, India, with his parents and younger sister. Like many families in the area, Vivaan’s parents work as labourers, plucking leaves and farming when work is available. But regular employment is hard to come by, and the family struggles to meet basic needs. 

Vivaan had never been to school. Instead, he spent his days helping his parents gather leaves to sell at market and playing with friends. Their home, though tiled, lacked electricity, running water, and sanitation. Drinking water came from a neighbour’s tap, and the family relied on government rations and kerosene for light. 

A risky journey far from home 

Facing these difficult conditions, Vivaan’s parents made a heartbreaking decision. They sent him nearly 900 miles away to Uttar Pradesh with a man from their village, hoping he could earn money working as a sugarcane cutter. 

Vivaan, along with two other boys aged 12 and 14, had made it 800 miles when the Railway Children India team spotted them at Anand Vihar Bus Station. The boys looked frightened and lost. 

Our team stepped in immediately, offering food, water, and emotional support. Vivaan received a medical check-up and was found to be healthy. We traced his family and contacted his father, who travelled to Delhi to reunite with his son. 

A new beginning 

During their meeting, our team spoke with Vivaan’s father about the dangers of child labour and the importance of education. He listened carefully and acknowledged the mistake. After consulting with the government Child Welfare Committee, Vivaan was safely returned home. 

Vivaan’s father now understands the risks his son faced, and is committed to enrolling him in school. He thanked the Railway Children India team for protecting Vivaan and giving their family a second chance. 

Your support made this possible. Without you, Vivaan’s story could have ended very differently. Instead, he’s back home, safe and surrounded by family, with the chance to go to school for the first time. His future is no longer defined by hardship, but by possibility.  

Thank you for helping Vivaan reclaim his childhood and begin a brighter journey forward. 

*Names have been changed and models used to protect identities.