Aamir

Aamir, a 13-year-old boy from Delhi, has been struggling every day for the last four years to access his one basic right with the potential to make or break his future: his education.

When his parents moved from their rural village 16 years ago in search of a better life in the capital, they managed to get by through his father’s various jobs as an electrician, a rickshaw driver and a labourer on constructions sites, loading and unloading bags of cement. As they settled into life in Delhi, they were able to save and borrow enough money for his father to complete an official driving course, which allowed him to drive school buses. Although having an official job meant more income, it was still not enough to cover everything and Aamir’s mother often sacrificed her own meals throughout the day so that there was enough money for her children to go to school.

“New clothes and other material things are not at all important necessities for me, I want my children to get an education.” Neha, Aamir's mother

Obstacle after obstacle

In 2015, just after Neha gave birth to Aamir’s youngest sister, the family suffered a devastating blow when their home was demolished. All their official documents were destroyed or lost, including their Aadhar cards, which proved their identities. For Aamir, this meant that enrolling in school became virtually impossible and it was only through Neha’s determination that she managed to enrol her children in school.

Just three years later, Aamir’s education hit another obstacle when Neha became ill and was unable to care for her children. Before long, they couldn’t afford to stay in school and without her to manage the leaving process, certificates to prove their previous education weren’t given, making future enrolment a more challenging prospect.

Life began to deteriorate further for Aamir and his family when the coronavirus pandemic hit India. It was a difficult time, with his father falling ill from Covid and his older brother having to work to bring some money into the household. Six months ago, however, in February 2022, things started to look up, as Aamir met Toybox’s partner in India, CHETNA, who run Education Clubs and other activities for children spending their time on the streets.

Hope in his own words

In his own words, Aamir tells us how his life has changed since attending the project regularly.

"When the lockdown was announced, my father lost his job. Before, he was working as a school bus driver, but due to the lockdown, the conditions for our family began deteriorating. He worked really hard for us. Whatever amount he earned was always used to run our house and my mother is a homemaker – she takes care of the house and looks after us.

Before, I used to roam around the streets and I used to trouble my mother a lot - I was unable to think or feel about anything. But since joining the project, now I come every day for CHETNA classes. I have learned about different types of games from CHETNA teachers.

I think the biggest challenge for children living on the streets in our country is that they don’t get sufficient meals 3 times a day. Children whose fathers are addicted to alcohol often harm them physically by beating them ruthlessly. These fathers not only beat their children, but their mothers also face domestic violence from their fathers, and the use of abusive language with the entire family. Children from the age group of 13 years and above are addicted to drugs. We children live near railway tracks which is one of the major threats for us. I especially feel unsafe when my mother sends me along to buy things. Small children often hide blades in their footwear in the park areas, which I have to visit to buy essential items. Despite all this, I think we children love to dance, this makes us feel really happy.

At the project, I received support for my education and also have stationery support like notebooks, pencils, colours, drawing sheets etc. Every day I get a hot meal in which I get roti, dal, puri sabzi, and cholaychwal. I get the opportunity to learn and understand complicated topics in easy and simple ways like the decimal system, Hindi grammar – noun, pronouns and verbs - from our teacher. I can also translate Hindi sentences into English. Hindi, English, and Maths are the subjects I study in the centre.

I love to study, and this is what excites me to engage myself in this project. You can check the attendance register, I attend the classes daily and I am a child leader for the centre. I want to become a pilot but I am unable to receive education in school I really want to complete my studies and the other aim is to become an Army officer. Right now I just want to study and after studying rest is up to the miracles of the universe. What will happen, it will happen.”

“If I were the leader of our country, I would make schools which have good infrastructure. Many people are living with no facilities, they don’t have proper shelter and due to heavy rain, the clothes and roof often get damaged. I will provide good facilities to such people.” Aamir