Stories of transformational change

“I felt so alone - I had no one to share my problems with”

“Before the project I didn’t know there was a problem with me. I had stayed for so long on the streets - that was the only life I knew. I believed that was my fate, I guess.”

“I am 13 and live on the streets of Nairobi. I came onto the streets in 2015 when my parents’ fighting became too much.”

“Street children are not treated with dignity or respect.”

“In my community, there are lots of thieves around and they get angry and hurt you when you don’t have anything of value to give them.”

“We build fires with the textbooks that other people use to study, to keep warm.”

“Life was different before - I used to spend my days working with my older brothers.”

“To be successful we need education, and we need a birth certificate for identity.”

“Being a child in my community is good, although I did used to have more fun before. I had more friends but now many of them have left or have died.”

“I came to Delhi with my mother earlier this year. I make a living by helping my mother with the household work where she works as a cleaner.”

“In my community, there are many different tribes who speak different languages. Most of the people there scavenge at the dumping site to earn a living.”

“After attending my classes and Puerta de Esperanza, I help my grandmother prepare the the parts she will sell in the afternoon.”

“Before I came to the project, I would sometimes have light snacks or remain hungry at times.”

“My favourite food is chole puri, rajma and roti – I’d never had them before and I love the taste.”

“Whenever I roam around with my friends, we often face eve teasing issues from strange men.”

“Studying is the most important thing for me at the moment.”

“One of my greatest achievements so far has been getting into football.”

“The football field is my favourite place – it’s where I feel free.”

“The streets are home now because this is where we live, it’s where I was pregnant with my children and where they spend their time now.”

“The most important thing is that children have space to learn and play. We should always have the chance to be creative and use our skills.”

“I was recruited by the gang in my neighbourhood – they used to threaten me with things if I didn’t obey.”

“When I didn’t go to school, I was bored and tired at home on my own.”

“Due to the hot weather, many times food often goes rotten.”

“It’s scary how easy it would be for someone to hurt us when we go out in the street.”

“To survive, I collect plastics and cartons around the estate and in the river – and on the weekends, I wash cars. It's hard work.”

“I want to encourage both women and men to help raise awareness on the challenges we face around menstruation and provide the support wherever needed.”

“I want to tell all the young girls that we should use sanitary pads to stay hygienic and have a carefree period.”

“I think a lot about going to school and feel sad because when I see the children of my age going, while I’m working day and night.”

“Everyone needs to know that using dirty clothes during menstruation can lead to disease and that it is very important to take special care of cleanliness at such times.”

“Buying sanitary towels was so far from reality and a completely impossible thing to do. When I got my period, I was using old clothes instead.”

“I would like to start my studies and be able to go to school knowing that I never have to miss a class again”

“Mohini has become a warrior of her community. She is praised, loved and appreciated by everyone for her bravery.”

“Devi was a self-conscious and introverted child but her involvement in sports and various activities has transformed her personality, she has become an extrovert and shows us that she is fearless.”

“Participating in dance classes helps me to relax, forget my problems and leave the pain behind for a little while”

“My children are the most important thing in my life – I don’t know how I would be if something happened to them.”