“The most enjoyable part of the project for me is the daily hot cooked meal.”
13 year old Golu (pictured above) and his three siblings live with their parents in a slum area in Delhi. The family reside in a one-room house, which they rent for 2,000 rupees (approximately £18) per month. Golu's father works as an electrician and his mother works in a shoe factory.
From village to city life
Golu shares, "Our family was facing overwhelming challenges in our home village in Bihar. We were struggling to access basic necessities like food and water, and our debts were spiraling out of control. To improve our situation, my father made the difficult decision to leave our village and move to Delhi. He hoped to find better employment opportunities there and earn a higher income to help us regain stability and start paying off our debts."
A few years later, driven by the hope that being together would strengthen the family's bonds and allow them to better support each other as they worked towards paying off the debts and improving their living conditions, the rest of the family joined Golu's father, Viraj, in Delhi.
It was at this point that Golu and his family first came into contact with Toybox local partner in India, CHETNA. Tulsi, Centre Coordinator for CHETNA recalls; "We first connected with Golu in March 2023. Since then, we have been deeply involved in assessing his family's situation to identify their specific needs and challenges. Our team has conducted regular visits and consultations to gain a comprehensive understanding of their circumstances. We have been providing tailored support, ranging from educational assistance for Golu to guidance and resources for his family."
Pictured below: Golu with his mother and siblings.
Providing nutritious food for health and development
For children like Golu, one of the most immediate impacts of a life connected with the streets is food insecurity. Living a hand to mouth existence means children are more likely to experience limited access to nutritious food, which often leads to malnutrition. In turn, this can affect health, school attendance, and future job prospects, keeping children and families trapped in a cycle of poverty.
To help tackle this, Toybox local partner, CHETNA, provide hot meals and snacks to children attending the STRIPE project in Delhi. This means children like Golu receive the nutrition that they desperately need for growth and development. Golu shares,
"Before joining CHETNA's project, my life was a constant struggle. As a street-connected child, I had to prioritise my brother's needs over my own, spending most of my time caring for him. But this project has been a game-changer. I receive a hot meal every day after school, such as Rajma Chawal (a kidney bean based curry) and Chole Chawal (a chickpea based curry). This has transformed my life. I no longer have to worry about where my next meal will come from, and I can focus on my own well-being. It helps us stay healthy and focused, especially since our parents leave early in the morning and I often return from school without anything to eat. It gives me the energy and focus to participate in activities and learn new things."
Pictured below: Golu enjoys a hot meal at the STRIPE project.
Education support
Not only does the STRIPE project help address street children's nutritional needs, it also focuses on ensuring they receive help and guidance they need with their education, including supporting families with the school enrolement process. Golu continues, "Due to our unfamiliarity with Delhi's education system, my family faced difficulties enrolling me in school. I was not enrolled in school around eight months. Fortunately, through the project, the CHETNA team facilitated my admission to school.
The STRIPE project has provided me with the opportunity to reconnect with education. It also offers additional help with homework and non-formal education. It has given me a sense of belonging and support, which is rare for street-connected children like me."
future hopes and dreams
Now that Golu is enrolled in a school in Delhi, with continued support from the project, he can begin working towards his future ambitions. He concludes, "My dream is to become a doctor who provides free treatment to poor and needy individuals. I aspire to establish a new hospital that offers complimentary medical care to people and animals."
