I am Satender, 19 years old and from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. I ran away from my home in 2005 because my father used to beat my family every day. One day I was so badly beaten by my father, that I made a plan and ran away. I spent one night on Old Delhi Railway Station, there I struggled for food, place to sleep and was beaten up by the police many times. Next day a social worker from SBT found me and I started living and studying in one of the shelter homes. Now I am living independently, studying Bachelor of Arts through correspondence and working in City Walk program as a full time guide since April 2010 where I am learning English and so many new, interesting things. I want to pursue my career in a computer related field.

My name is Iqbal and I am 20 years old. I came to live on the streets when I was only five years old. I don’t clearly remember my parents or my hometown but I still shiver when I recall about the nights spent alone, in hunger and fear, on trains and in train stations, many times being beaten up by the police and older people who also lived on the streets. In 2006, I joined SBT where I learnt computers from a reputed institute in Delhi and also pursuing my education through Open School. In Dec. 2010, I joined the City Walk Program, as I wanted to improve my communication skills and to interact with people from different countries and learn from their culture. Initially, it was quite challenging but soon I was able to gain confidence and present myself in front of others. Now I am living independently and want to work for other street children and support a shelter home like the one I grew up in. Though my childhood ambition was to become a professional software engineer but since the time I have joined City Walk I have developed interest in the Travel industry.

I am Tabrez. I am 19 years old and from Bihar. At seven years of age, I ran away from my home. I started living on the streets and survived by doing rag picking, cleaning the trains and other odd jobs. I was introduced to the Trust’s GRP contact point in 1999 and soon started living in one of the shelter homes. At SBT, my life got a new direction, I started to go to school and soon learnt to read and write. Last year, I completed my high school and presently, I am pursuing Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University, with four subjects: Accounts, Business, Economics and Hindi. I have also done basic computer course and diploma in retail management from a reputed institute in Delhi. I love playing cricket and football and I am part of the SBT team, where I have contributed in winning many matches for the organization. I joined City Walk program in Feb. 2011 as I used to be a very shy person and I did not like to talk in front of other people. Since I joined the program, my communication skills have improved and I am quite confident. I am interested in pursuing my career in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.

My name is Tariq Aziz. I am 18 years old and was born to Indian parents living in Nepal. My father often used to beat me and my family. When I was 12 years old, I decided to run away from home. I arrived in Delhi but didn’t know where to go or what to do in this city. The only option I saw was to live on the streets and looked for ways to earn money and survive. I worked in a tea stall and collected rubbish. Then one day I met a social worker from Salaam Baalak Trust and he encouraged me to join one of its shelter homes. I joined SBT in 2005 and my life changed for the better. I could see my life in a new light. I learned a lot of things and right now I am in high school and also learning basic computer programming skills. I have been part of the City Walk Program since Feb.2011, which has given me the opportunity to improve my English communication skills. This helped me boost my self-confidence. I want to become a computer programmer in future.

My name is Ajay and I am originally from Mumbai. When I was seven years old, I got lost during a big festival. I spent my childhood on the street and went to jail two times because I was a big pick pocketeer. After coming to Delhi, I joined Salaam Baalak Trust in 2005. When I joined SBT, I couldn’t read or write but now I am a high school student. In Sept. 2010, I got enrolled in City Walk program, as I wanted to improve my English and become a ‘famous star’ of Salaam Baalak Trust. I have learnt a lot from this program and love meeting new people on the walk every day. Since childhood I wanted to become a train driver but the exposure I got from City Walk has inspired me to visit USA and explore more good opportunities.

I am Shekhar and 23 years old. I was introduced to City Walk in 2006 and was the first guide who started conducting the Walk along with one more colleague. From 2006 to 2009, I sensitized more than 6000 people from across the world about street children and their lives. Those three years entirely changed my life. My English speaking, reading, writing skills became wonderful and I was able to take one step further towards my aim: Now I am pursuing graduation from Indira Gandhi National Open University and working in a Call Centre. I also want to study in USA to become a professional tour guide. I am really thankful to Salaam Baalak Trust for all the help and support that I got!

My name is Javed and I am 27 years old. I am from the state of Bihar and ran away from home when I was eight years old because my family was very poor. I lived on the streets for more than two years until a SBT staff convinced me to go and live in a shelter home. I studied sociology through distance education and joined City Walk program in 2006. It’s in this program, where I met an American girl who I fell in love with and who is now my wife! We married in 2010 and live together in Atlanta, USA. Presently, I am pursuing my higher education in a university here.

My name is Brijesh and I am originally from Bihar. I ran away from my home at the age of six, owing to the regular verbal and physical violence I faced from my aunt. Besides badmouthing and beating me, she used to engage me in household and petty work. Devoid of a regular childhood, I soon got lost in the streets of Delhi. I spent five years on the streets of Delhi collecting garbage and selling refilled water bottles. One day, I was found by SBT staff and soon joined the organization. I finished my school while in SBT and also learned Spanish. I was a City Walk guide until September 2010, when I left to study Tourism Management in USA on a scholarship. I came back in June 2011 and presently, I am working towards starting my own travel agency soon.

I am Anil, 22 years old. I was born and spent my childhood in a railway community area which is very close to New Delhi Railway Station. When I was 17 years old, I used to be a very rude and restless boy. I used to smoke, drink alcohol and wander around the streets all night with my friends. That time, my mother brought me to Akanksha Centre of SBT, where I met the coordinator and other SBT staff who counseled me to become a better person. Thereafter, I started studying and became curious about learning English. This motivated me to join City Walk in 2009 and worked as a City walk guide for a year. I learned many things about my personality and skills, passed the high school and have recently enrolled in Indira Gandhi National University to pursue my graduation. Besides this I am working for Indian Railways as a technician and constantly working on improving my skills.  

My name is Sudhir. I am from Bihar and ran away at the age of seven to pursue education, recognizing that I couldn’t study much there due to limited opportunities in my village. I followed a friend who had earlier been to Delhi, but got separated from him on the way, and ended up at New Delhi Railway Station alone. Luckily I knew the name of Salaam Baalak Trust and had heard of the educational opportunities there. I found the Trust and decided to stay there, even though my parents came to Delhi to take me home. I was part of the City Walk program from 2008 until September 2010 to improve my English and achieved a lot! I am also studying Bachelor of Arts from Delhi University and am a successful karate coach for Salaam Baalak Trust and for other schools in Delhi. I plan to do Masters in Social Work as I am very much interested in contributing my bit to the society.

My name is Danish, 22 years old. I ran away from my home in Bihar when I was seven because my family was very poor and we didn't have enough food.  I lived on the streets and in railway stations, mainly in New Delhi, for about eight years. I survived by collecting leftover food from luxury trains, polishing shoes, selling water bottles and rag picking.  When I was about 14, a Salaam Baalak Trust staff met me and counseled me to join the Trust; eventually I joined a shelter home and besides participating in various activities also studied through National Open School. I became involved with City Walk in 2006 to improve my English and worked as a guide for some time. I also did lots of craft work (macramé) and trained many people in it. Presently, I am studying Bachelor of Arts through Delhi University.  I helped an overseas volunteer set up a Volunteer Flat for SBT in Paharganj and presently, also managing the flat.

My name is Shahadutt; I am 23 years old and from the state of Bihar. I came to Delhi with my father when I was six years old to work in a factory. After working for 15 months, I got lost around New Delhi Railway Station while searching for my brother. All alone on the streets, I fell prey to a local gang which engaged me into activities like pick pocketing, stealing and buying drugs. One day, two SBT social workers spotted me and brought me to one of the shelter homes, where I stayed for 12 years and received my education. SBT also helped find my parents and reunite with them. In SBT, I was involved in many activities – as a Walk guide, actor, puppeteer, stage light designer and also studying Bachelor of Arts. I worked in the City Walk program for two years until July 2011, when I went to USA on a scholarship and presently, I am studying Business Management in Wisconsin. I will be back in India in May 2012 and plan to set up my own business then. I am very thankful to Salaam Baalak Trust for positively changing my life and helping me to realize my dreams!