“Playing with my friends in the school garden is one of the best parts of my day. It makes going to school more enjoyable for me.”
Nine-year-old Golu (pictured above) attends a Toybox-supported project in Delhi. Here, in his own words, he shares a little about his life and experiences.
life in delhi
"My day begins early in the morning at around 6:00 AM. After waking up, I get ready for the day and leave for school at around 7:00 AM."
Golu lives with his parents and two older sisters. In recent years, his family moved to the city in search of work, stability and a safe place to live. Today, they live together in a one-room rented home.
In 2025, Toybox local partner CHETNA met Golu's family through community outreach activities. Having always wanted her son to have access to education and opportunities to learn, Golu's mother enrolled him in CHETNA's Educational and Recreational Centre, where he continues to take part in activities and learning opportunities.
Speaking about the project Golu shares;
"The activities help me learn new things and improve my skills. Among all the things I have learned at the project, I feel that the most significant for me are the opportunity to learn dance and take part in stage performances. At the same time, the academic support has helped me improve my studies and understand my lessons better."
Reflecting on the difference this suport has made, Golu shares;
"My life has changed a lot since I started coming to the project. When I first joined, I did not know how to read or write properly. Now, I have improved a lot. I can read and write and even form four-letter words. I feel very happy and proud that I am learning like other children at the project."
Pictured below: Golu (front row, blue t-shirt) takes part in a learning support session at the project.
When he's not at school or attending project activities, like many children his age, Golu enjoys playing with his friends. He shares;
"In the evening, I spend time playing with my friends in the community. Ghar-ghar and hide-and-seek are some of my favourite games."
He also enjoys keeping a diary. He explains;
"It makes me feel organised and helps share my thoughts and routine in a personal way."
Family is at the centre of Golu's life. He continues;
"The most important people in my life right now are my parents. They take care of me and guide me in my daily life. I feel safe and supported because of them and I want to make them proud. My father has taught me many important things, such as how to help others, how to behave well, and how to study properly. I look up to him because he guides me in the right direction and supports me in becoming a better person in life."
Pictured below:(L) Golu at the project, receiving support with his studies. (R) Golu takes part in a peer to peer learning session at the project.
Before joining the project and enrolling in school, Golu's days looked very different. He shares;
"Before I started going to school, I did not have many activities to do and often struggled to pass my time. I often felt bored and did not like spending my time alone at home."
A big milestone
Getting into school was not easy for Golu. Problems with identity documents, a lack of a bank account and discrimination linked to his community created barriers to enrolment. Golu reflects;
"My school enrolment process was not easy at all. The school authorities said that children from my community are often irregular in attending school, which made the process even more difficult for me."
With support from Toybox partner, CHETNA, these challenges were addressed and Golu was finally able to start school. He shares;
"When I was accepted into school, I felt very happy. It was a special moment for me because I had been waiting for a long time to get admission and continue my education. Getting into school made me feel proud and excited."
School life
Reflecting on his experience at school and his vision for improving it, he continues;
"I feel good when I go to school. Earlier, I did not have a proper routine and used to spend my time without learning much, but now I am able to use my time in a more positive way. I like to study all subjects, but Mathematics is my favourite. I find Maths easy to understand and I enjoy solving sums. School gives us knowledge and skills that are useful for our future. I also feel that if a person does not get education, they may end up doing only labour work.
My favourite thing about school is the large garden where I can run and play with my friends. I really enjoy spending time there during breaks because it makes me feel free and happy. Playing with my friends in the school garden is one of the best parts of my day, and it makes going to school more enjoyable for me.
If I were the Prime Minister, I would install rides in the school garden so that children can play and have fun during their free time. I would also add more comfortable benches, as the current ones are not very comfortable for children to sit on."
Hopes for the future
Today, when Golu thinks about the future, his ambitions are shaped not only by what he wants for himself, but also by what he hopes to provide for his family. He concludes;
"My dream for the future is to become a businessman and sell clothes. I want to work hard, earn money, and use it to improve my family's life. My goal is to buy a good house and a vehicle for my family so that we can live comfortably and happily."
Pictured below: Golu with his dad and sister.
