Layina

Layina is the youngest of four siblings. Both her parents abandoned their children a few years ago due to mental health challenges, leaving them in the care of their elderly grandmother. Having no parents to look after then, all the children had to work to earn money to survive and Layina’s daily task was colouring and decorating sandal straps ready to go onto shoes at a nearby factory. In January 2022, her life changed when she met staff from Toybox’s partner in India, CHETNA. Here, she tells how her life has changed from the village she was born in, to the hopes she has for her future now.

“I used to live with my sister and grandmother in our village where I took care of all the household chores. Gradually, my grandmother’s health started deteriorating and our family came into a lot of debt when the floods came and our crops started to fail. Out of desperation, my grandmother asked me and my sister to find a job.

There were no jobs in the village, so in search of our livelihoods, we came to Delhi. We hoped that by moving we’d be able to get two meals a day and no longer be a burden on our old grandmother. Initially, it was very difficult for us. We lived with my uncle for a few days, but it wasn’t long before he asked us to leave because he didn’t have enough food for us. Somehow, my older sister managed to get a job in a factory and I learned how to colour the sandal straps from a neighbour which allowed me to earn 50-60 rupees per day (approx. 50-60p). Although life was full of struggles, we somehow managed to survive and respond to all the challenges life threw at us. My sister takes good care of our family, but I do miss my parents. Maybe if they had been here I would have been able to go to school, but instead, I spent my time sitting by the railway tracks colouring sandal straps."

“One day, I saw CHETNA doing their activities in the slum community where I live and there were many children participating. At the time I felt lonely in my house and I didn’t have many friends. In those first few days, I watched the children. After a while, I saw the children were enjoying themselves, so I started taking an interest in the project activities and wanted to join.” Layina

"At the project, I learn basic knowledge through child participation and play. I’ve learned the basics of maths, English and Hindi to help me enrol in school to further my studies in the future. The project not only provides materialistic support, such as glucose, toothbrushes, bags, school uniforms and stationery though. It also helped street children get basic knowledge and supports children like me to get admitted into formal school. We also get food as well and play games like kho-kho and kabaddi.

Before I came to the project, I hadn’t been able to enroll in school – the process had been full of challenges because my parents don’t live with us. I didn’t have my Aadhar (ID) card with me or my birth certificate so the school weren’t willing to admit me. Thankfully, CHETNA were able to help and after a lot of effort from them, I was finally enrolled in school.

It was a great moment for me and my sister because I was finally able to go to school. I like home science as I get to learn new recipes and the happiness (mindfulness) curriculum we have at school – it helps us to concentrate our minds and after it, I always feel happy. Before, I didn’t know how to read basic Hindi, but now I can read everything. I’m also slowly learning how to read English. We are also taught awareness programmes on things like sanitation and how to treat the environment well, as well as having talent showcases to share our skills with others."

“School is very important for everyone – it provides knowledge that is helpful in fulfilling our dreams and it helps me know different rights that are enshrined for children like rights to participation, survival, development and protection. It also helps us to achieve our dreams.” Layina

"If I ever became a leader in the country, I’d make teachers adhere to rules and regulations so they had to attend classes. For example, sometimes my English teacher just doesn’t come to our lessons. I’d also shut down all the alcohol and drug factories and ensure the police only arrested people when they have evidence. I’d also encourage all children to go to school and tell them they shouldn’t be afraid of being bullied. Like your mother looks after you at home, your teacher does at school. Now, I’m so much happier and I have friends too. I don’t have to work long hours and I can focus on my studies instead.

I want to be a soldier or a doctor, but sometimes I have doubts about whether I’ll be able to achieve this looking at my present situation. I’m worried my future is full of darkness because although I want to study, I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue. In a couple of years, it’s likely my sister will get married, and I don’t know what will happen to me then. My only option would be to leave school and go back to my home village. I’d be so happy if someone could help me stay at school so I can fulfil my dreams.”