Stories of transformational change

“I like to come here to the project, because there are things for children.”

“I like the project because we are all the same, you understand each other and can share your problems without feeling embarrassed.”

“I value my education since it is the gateway to a different life.”

“I have learned not to hit other children and my rights.”

“I want to be well, stable, and calm.”

“Coming to the farm give us time to play with friends and makes you feel happy.”

“I feel very happy that I have my new clothes – they have really helped me to keep myself warm.”

“Now I can read and write!”

“Now I understand the value of family.”

“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.”

“My favourite food is spicy food. I like eating dal, roti and chicken best.”

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

“I have this confidence in myself that from now on, I will be able to revert back to them with much more bravery so they never tease another girl.”

“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.”

“I tell her she should go to school to prepare for her future.”

“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.”

“When I grow up, I dream of being bilingual.”

“When I got accepted into school, I felt excited and a bit nervous about getting homework.”

“It feels very good to eat together with everyone at the project.”

“I’ve learned to respect my mum and treat my whole family with love.”

“I’ve learned life skills like how to stay at peace with other people.”

“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’m interested in going to school and I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”