Dear Salaam Baalak,

Thank you for opening your doors and graciously welcoming me into your home. From the very moment I stepped on the railway platform, I knew my experience with your Trust would be one that I would never forget. The “City Walk Tour” alone opened my eyes to a world that I knew very little about; a world so foreign and full of stereotypes that I could never have imagined the struggle, talent, and love that exists beneath it.

One of the most striking aspects at SBT is the amount of talent brimming through every child. Whether they are striving to be a director, actor, or computer engineer, each young man has the drive, motivation, and moral support to reach their full potential. I can honestly say this because I was allowed a sneak peak into their creativity on multiple occasions. One example includes when my good friend Punkaj invited me to watch a rehearsal for the outstanding play he wrote, and is now directing. Another instance was when I saw sweet little Nu Nu display an astonishing amount of talent by acting his heart out playing the difficult role of a street child. Then there were those times when Arif whizzed through the Internet, uploaded pictures, and helped me day in and day out with my computer classes. Finally, I know these young men will do well because of the determination each child holds, as well as the excellent support they receive from the staff at SBT. Truly, this is what brings me hope and delight.

I hope that in the short time that I spent with SBT, these wonderful individuals learned from me at least a fraction of what I learned from them. I really didn’t think I would discover so much about India, the life of street children, and about the beauty of the human spirit in a simple three weeks! Thank you, thank you and thank you! Keep up the exceptional work and I will definitely keep in touch.

With Best Wishes,
Rabia Masood Khan,