Support excluded kids with disabilities in India

Arko was just two years old when he arrived at Nishtha. A quiet, withdrawn boy, he couldn’t sit up, eat on his own or respond when spoken to. His parents had been worried for a long time, but help had always felt out of reach.

They’d travelled far, spent money they didn’t have, and visited multiple doctors, each offering a different answer, but no lasting support. Arko’s father eventually lost his job because of all the time spent trying to get his son to therapy appointments hours away. With only one income left and growing uncertainty about Arko’s future, the family felt overwhelmed and alone.

Then, they were referred to Nishtha.

From the moment they arrived, everything changed. For the first time, Arko’s parents found consistent, compassionate care in one place—close to home and completely free. Arko began receiving regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy and special education, all carefully tailored to meet him where he was.

 A year later, Arko's a different child. He can now sit on his own, eat with his hands and respond to voices with eye contact and a few spoken words. His progress has been remarkable—not just physically, but emotionally too. There’s a light in his eyes now. A sense of connection, of possibility.

His parents say Nishtha didn’t just offer therapy—it offered hope, dignity and a sense of being held through an otherwise isolating journey. They no longer have to choose between earning a living and caring for their child. They’ve found a community that believes in Arko as much as they do.

And all of this is possible because of your support.

Thanks to you, children like Arko are being given the chance to grow, thrive and live with confidence. Your generosity makes this life-changing work possible and gives families like Arko’s the courage to keep moving forward.