Ganesh was barely five when he was sent out to beg on the streets. Living on the pavement near the Kalkaji Temple in South Delhi with his grandmother, he did nothing all day except begging. On the street, he was often at the receiving end of abuse – both verbal and physical. With the money he got, he could barely get two square meals a day. In the past, Ganesh had gone to school for maybe just a year after which he dropped out and took to streets. His father did not stay with them but came to meet them occasionally. When Ganesh was four, he lost his mother.
While conducting a survey, Save the Children’s community outreach worker came in contact with Ganesh. The boy wore shabby clothes and was begging with his grandmother. The community worker reasoned with his grandmother that Ganesh be sent to Ankuran – Save the Children’s activity centre in the Bluebells School in South Delhi. The grandmother plainly refused saying that earning money was more important than learning and went on to question the community worker that what will Ganesh achieve after getting education.
The community worker had an extensive discussion with the old lady that day but it was all in vain. The grandmother was a tough nut to crack and the community worker had to pay her several visits in the days to come in order to convince her to send Ganesh to the activity centre. Ultimately, the grandmother yielded and gave her go-ahead for sending the boy to the activity centre.
Once Ganesh started visiting the centre regularly, a world of opportunity was laid bare before him. Initially, he used to keep quiet and could barely interact with the people at the centre. He hesitated to participate in the sessions and often got distracted by other students. But with time things started changing and changing for good. Soon the centre head could discern some positive behavioural changes in Ganesh. He started learning willingly and sought eager participation in class activities. His interaction with other children at the centre and the staff started reaching a different level and he was no longer a child who barely opened his mouth.
Ganesh is now a happy, enthusiastic, and a bright child with an appetite to learn. His brother has also been enrolled in the Bluebells centre. The boy has a penchant for painting and has an artistic side of the personality to flaunt. There was a time when he could barely speak and now he has become a good articulator. “I like doing the art and craft activities which are conducted at the centre. I also like playing with other children. I feel happy to be here as no one uses abusive language while speaking to me, says Ganesh.
The biggest moment in the life of Ganesh came when he was given admission in class 2 in a nearby primary school run by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), a proud moment for Save the Children as well. We wish him all the best for future and hopes all his dreams come true.
Through an array of targeted programs, Save the Children is working for the transition of children from street to school. We need to reach out to many more children living on streets and we cannot do this without your support. With an amount as less as $1, you can help in shaping the future of a child living or working on streets.