Salaam Baalak Trust - working for street children

One Volunteer, Many Dreams: Nurturing Young Talent Through Chess

At DMRC Children Home for Boys, the dedication of one volunteer is opening new doors of opportunity for children and helping them discover their potential.

For the past several months, volunteer Avinash has been regularly visiting the home to teach and engage with the children. Beyond academics, he spent time building meaningful relationships with them through activities such as playing chess. During these interactions, he noticed that some of the children displayed exceptional interest and aptitude for the game.

Recognizing their potential, Avinash took the initiative to provide a more structured learning opportunity. He approached Delhi Chess Classes and arranged trial chess sessions for interested children, personally covering the cost of the trial classes. Four children eagerly enrolled and attended their first session at Delhi Chess Classes, Model Town Phase-3.

What began as a simple game during volunteer visits has now evolved into a pathway for learning and growth. Through formal chess training, the children are expected to develop critical life skills such as concentration, strategic thinking, patience, decision-making, and problem-solving. These skills will not only support their academic progress but also contribute to their overall personal development.

Encouraged by the children's enthusiasm, Avinash has committed to supporting the continuation of these classes two to three times a week, with all expenses being borne by him. This remarkable gesture demonstrates how one individual's commitment can create lasting impact and inspire young minds to dream bigger.

The story of Avinash and these four children is a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins with a single person who takes the time to notice a child's potential and invest in their future. Through his support, what started as a recreational activity may one day lead these children to participate in competitive chess tournaments and pursue opportunities they may never have imagined.

One volunteer. Four children. Countless possibilities.

OVERVIEW

Located in Kamla Nagar, Delhi, the area is highly vulnerable to crime, exploitation, and substance abuse, placing street and working children at serious risk. Most children are out of school due to poverty, neglect, child labour, domestic responsibilities, and discrimination faced as first-generation learners.

To respond to these challenges, SBT operates an Open Shelter for 25 boys, providing a safe, protective, and supportive environment for children in need of care and protection. The shelter also functions as a halfway house for children affected by substance abuse, offering pre- and post-de-addiction counselling along with ongoing psychosocial support to aid recovery and safe reintegration.

SUCCESS STORY of AJAY

Ajay, a 12-year-old boy, belongs to a migrant family originally from Bihar and was residing in Narela, Delhi. His father passed away, and his mother later remarried, leaving Ajay without adequate care and supervision. As an only child in a highly vulnerable family situation, Ajay gradually became disconnected from schooling and dropped out after completing Class VII. Living in an industrial area and lacking guidance, he came under the influence of a negative peer group and began consuming alcohol, ganja, smack, and other substances. Alongside substance abuse, Ajay also developed risky behaviours such as stealing from home and frequently running away. Due to his repeated runaway tendencies and addiction-related behaviour, his mother was initially unwilling to take him back, further increasing his vulnerability. On 29 July 2025, Ajay was found begging at Hanuman Mandir, Yamuna Bazar, Kashmiri Gate. He was identified through outreach activities and brought to Salaam Baalak Trust via its Yamuna Bazar contact point. At the time of admission, Ajay held strong negative perceptions about NGOs and felt confined within the Child Care Institution (CCI). He was restless, resistant to rules, emotionally unstable, and made repeated attempts to run away from the centre. Through continuous counselling, patience, and emotional support, the care team gradually built trust and rapport with Ajay. An Individual Care Plan was developed focusing on substance de-addiction, physical health recovery, emotional stabilisation, and social reintegration. Ajay was provided with nutritious food to improve his poor health and was actively engaged in educational, recreational, and therapeutic activities within the centre. With consistent encouragement, he slowly adjusted to the structured environment and began participating positively in group activities alongside other children.

Considering the severity of his addiction, Ajay was referred to a specialised de-addiction programme at SPYM for further treatment. With sustained intervention and his own determination, Ajay successfully quit substance use. Significant improvement was observed in his physical health, emotional well-being, and overall behaviour. This marked a major achievement for both Ajay and the care team. On 22 December 2025, Ajay was safely restored to his family. Post-restoration follow-up has been initiated jointly by Salaam Baalak Trust and SPYM to ensure continuity of care and prevent relapse. Ajay now expresses a strong desire to resume his education and will be enrolled in formal schooling in the upcoming academic session. He is currently stable, motivated, and grateful for the support he received, reflecting a positive and hopeful transformation in his life.

IMPACT

• 1390 safe shelter nights provided to boys in need
• 120 boys supported through structured follow-up services
• 152 boys safely restored and reintegrated with their families

Services and Programmes Provided During the Reporting Period

1. Basic Care and Protection

• Comprehensive basic care and protection services were provided to all children admitted during the reporting period.
• Each child received individual sets of clothing, bedding, lockers, and essential daily-use items such as towels, soap, oil, and toothbrushes to ensure dignity, hygiene, and personal safety.
• A safe, secure, and child-friendly residential environment was maintained at all times.

2. Nutrition and Food Security

• Nutritious and age-appropriate meals were provided regularly to all children.
• Breakfast was served on a rotational basis and included milk, bread, butter, paratha, tea, chole-bhature, and other items.
• Lunch and dinner comprised chapati, rice, pulses, and seasonal vegetables daily, with eggs served twice a week.
• Special meals were organised once every month and during festivals.
• Children requiring additional nutritional support were provided special diets, including milk, eggs, and fruits, based on medical advice.
• Evening nutrition was provided regularly to all children.
• Safe drinking water was ensured through RO filtration systems and water coolers, particularly during the summer months.

3. Healthcare and Medical Services

• Medical examination of every child was conducted at the time of admission by a qualified MBBS doctor.
• Preventive healthcare services, including immunisation and vaccination, were ensured during the reporting period.
• First-aid facilities were available within the Home at all times.
• A visiting MBBS doctor conducted health check-ups twice a month and remained available on call whenever required.
• Regular hygiene awareness and sensitisation sessions were conducted for children.
• Adequate sanitation facilities were maintained, including four toilets and three bathrooms with proper amenities.
• Children requiring specialised medical or mental health care were referred to LNJP Hospital and IHBAS as required.

4. Psychosocial and Mental Health Support

• Psychosocial support services were provided consistently to children throughout the reporting period.
• Regular counselling and guidance services were offered by a trained and qualified counsellor appointed by the Home.
• Individual mental health records were maintained for each child.
• Counselling sessions were conducted in a separate, dedicated room to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

5. Substance Abuse Intervention and De-addiction

• During the reporting period, nine (09) children were identified with substance abuse issues.
• These children were referred to Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM ) Drug De-addiction Centre for specialised treatment.
• All children who underwent de-addiction treatment successfully completed the programme.
• Following treatment, all such children were restored to their families with appropriate follow-up support. 

6. Education, Recreation, and Life Skills Development

• A structured daily routine was followed throughout the reporting period, covering academic activities, life skills education, recreation, and rest, ensuring a balanced and disciplined environment.
• Children participated in a wide range of recreational and creative activities, including indoor and outdoor games, kickboxing and karate classes, online quiz and debate competitions, and art and craft sessions using waste and recycled materials.
• Innovative and child-centric activities such as dance sessions, kite-flying competitions, and creative workshops were organised to enhance confidence, self-expression, and social skills.
• All children availing short-stay or overnight protective services actively participated in these activities.

 7. Rehabilitation, Restoration, and Follow-Up

• Rehabilitation and restoration services remained a key focus of the programme.
• Continuous coordination was undertaken with Childline services, local police authorities, Child welfare committee, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), schools, and government and private hospitals for family tracing and restoration.
• Vocational training support was provided to eligible children based on their interests and aptitude.
• Life skills development interventions were implemented as required, and children were enrolled in vocational training programmes aligned with their future plans.
• Where necessary, children were transferred to other Child Care Institutions offering specialised vocational training facilities.
• Post-restoration follow-ups were conducted through home visits and telephonic communication to ensure the safety, well-being, and continued progress of restored children.

 8. Administrative and Documentation Support

• Aadhaar enrolment was completed for one (01) child during the reporting period.
• User ID and password for the Mission Vatsalya Portal were received; however, due to non-functionality at the Child Care Institution (CCI) level and lack of staff training by National Informatics Centre (NIC)/ Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), online data entry could not be undertaken during this period.