PRESENT CITY WALK GUIDES

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  My name is Asif, I'm 20 years old. My parents were from Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh but migrated to Mumbai for work. My parents died when I was quite young. I ran away from home when I was just 8 years old. I came to Salaam Baalak Trust roughly 8 years ago, at the age of 12. SBT has provided me with all the necessary things required for living a life. I joined the City Walk programme in the year 2017 as I was keen to learn and improve my communication skills. I completed my high school last year and now pursuing a Spanish course along with a Bachelors degree in Tourism. I would like to pursue a degree course in Tourism because, in future, I want to become a professional tour guide and explore the world.

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  My name is Devraj, I'm 20 years old. I am originally from Nepal. In 2014, I came to Salaam Baalak Trust and my life completely changed thereafter. I was engaged in various activities and later enrolled in class 10 through NIOS. In the year 2015, I joined the City Walk programme to improve my communication skills and build my confidence. My dream is to become a police officer.

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  My name is Ruhi Khan, I'm 18 years old. My parents were financially very poor and suffered from poor health too. So for my well being, I was sent to Arushi Home of Salaam Baalak Trust when I was five years old. I got a lot of love and care from the people working for the organization, and SBT has now become my family. I learnt a lot of things and was mentored to turn my dreams into reality. I started as a peer educator at one of the Contact Points and then joined the City Walk programme in August 2015. After completing my education, I want to fulfil my dream of becoming an air hostess.

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  My name is Anny, I'm 18 years old. I am originally from Orissa. I was brought to Delhi by my relatives who left me at an orphanage. In 2011, I was shifted to one of the girls' shelter homes of Salaam Baalak Trust. The organization provided me with all the love and care that eventually helped me in my holistic development. I recently joined the City Walk programme in 2017 to improve my communication skills. I am now in a higher class and want to become a professional tour guide.

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  My name is Sheetal, I'm 19 years old. I am from Delhi and lived at SBT for 8 years. My father was an alcoholic. I did my regular schooling till class 8 from Lawrence School in Sanawar, Shimla. I completed class 10 last year and got rehabilitated through the City Walk programme in 2019. After finishing my education in the field of tourism, I want to become a tour guide.

FORMER CITY WALK GUIDES

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  My name is Ajay, I'm 24 years old. I am originally from Mumbai. When I was seven years old, I got lost during a big festival. I spent my childhood on the streets and went to jail twice as I used to pickpocket. After coming to Delhi, I came in touch with Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) in 2005. In 2010, I got enrolled in the City Walk programme as I wanted to improve my English and become a 'famous star' of Salaam Baalak Trust. I have learnt a lot from this programme and loved meeting new people at the Walk every day. I completed my graduation in Political Science and now working as an intern at the Parliament House.

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  My name is Noor Hussain Ali, I'm 25 years old. I ran away in 2003 from my home in Assam since it was unbearable for me to see my father fighting over small things. My father and my elder brother used to beat me often. I was a lost child when I got down from the train at the New Delhi Railway Station. SBT provided me with a meaningful direction and I could see my life in a new light. I joined the City Walk programme in 2013 which allowed me to improve my language skills. I am in the final year of my graduation and also pursuing a PG Diploma course in Tourism from Kuoni Travel Academy. Currently, I'm also working as a freelancer with a travel agency in Delhi.

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  My name is Shivram, I'm 25 years old. I am from a small village near Agra, Uttar Pradesh. I ran away from home when I was six years old because my father used to beat my mother over small things. When I arrived at the New Delhi Railway Station, life was more difficult than I ever expected. One day, I met a social worker from Salaam Baalak Trust who convinced me to join the Trust. After coming to SBT in 2006, my life changed for good - I got enrolled in a school and various other educational programs, and I was able to partake in activities of my choice, like theatre. I joined the City Walk programme in 2012 as I wanted to become more confident by improving my English communication skills. Today, I have completed my graduation and even applied for a job in the U.S.

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  My name is Prashant, I'm 26 years old. I hail from the Ghaziabad district in Uttar Pradesh. I live in a joint family. My father has a life-threatening disease which unfortunately changed our lives forever. My father approached an NGO that helped us in giving medical aid to him and referred me to Salaam Baalak Trust. I came here in 2004 and it has provided me with a promising environment where I was able to shape my personality. I joined the City Walk programme in 2013 as I was very keen to learn the English language. After completing my high school, I am currently pursuing a degree in Tourism from IGNOU, and also doing a regular Diploma in Tourism Management from Kouni Academy, Delhi. Presently, I am planning to set up my own business.

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  My name is Ejaz, I'm 23 years old. I am originally from Bihar. My father is a Maulvi (priest in a mosque) who wanted me to become just like him but I was not interested. Tired of my father's beatings, I ran away and took a train to New Delhi. I worked in a lock shop near the New Delhi Railway Station. One day I met a man who told me about an NGO, Don Bosco Ashalayam. I went there and felt very happy. My father came to know where I was and he took me back home. He told me that I must study the Quran and become a Maulvi. I left my home again and came back to New Delhi. I met a social worker of Salaam Baalak Trust in 2012 who told me about the organization and the facilities provided by them. I joined the City Walk programme in 2013 because I wanted to improve my English communication skills and become a confident person. Life is a big challenge but I am excited to face it. I am currently working as an intern in a travel agency and completing my graduation.

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  My name is Sangeeta, I'm 24 years old. I was born in Mumbai. When I was two years old, my father died in an accident. After that, I started living with my mother and younger sister near the Mumbai Railway Station. Later, my mother also died when I was ten years old and we were sent to the hostel of Saint Anthony High School. After two years, I met the Family Service Centre, an adoption centre that helped me and my sister find a suitable adoption family; we were sent to live in Boston in the U.S. with my new family. However, I was unable to adjust to the lifestyle there and after two years, I came back to Mumbai. Since 2010, I have been living in the Girls Home of SBT. The Home has helped me a lot by providing many facilities, especially education. I joined the City Walk programme in 2014 because I want to improve my English communication skills and become more confident. Presently, I am studying in class 10 via an open school, and working as a receptionist.

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  My name is Shekhar, I'm 28 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 and writing skills improved, and I even created a Walk anthem. I was able to take one step further towards my aim - I am pursuing graduation from the Indira Gandhi National Open University, and working at a call centre. I also want to study in the U.S. to become a professional tour guide. I am thankful to Salaam Baalak Trust for all the help and support that I got!

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  My name is Javed, I'm 32 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 an SBT staff convinced me to go and live in their shelter home. I studied sociology through distance education and joined the City Walk programme in 2006. It is in this program that I met an American girl with whom I fell in love, and who is now my wife! We married in 2010 and live together in Atlanta. Presently, I am pursuing my higher education from a university here in the U.S.

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  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 on the streets of Delhi. I spent five years collecting garbage and selling refilled water bottles. One day, I was found by an SBT staff and joined them thereafter. I finished my school while in SBT and also learned Spanish. I was a City Walk guide from 2008 until September 2010, when I left to study Tourism Management in the USA on a scholarship. I came back in June 2011 and presently, I am working in a reputed travel agency. I hope to start my travel agency soon.

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  My name is Anil, I'm 30 years old. I was born, and spent my childhood, in a railway community area which is very close to the 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 the Akanksha Contact Point 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 the City Walk programme in 2009 and worked as a guide for a year. I learned many things about my personality and skills, passed high school, and enrolled at the Indira Gandhi National University to pursue my graduation. Besides this, I am working for the Indian Railways as a technician and constantly working to improve my skills.

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  My name is Sudhir, I am from Bihar. I ran away at the age of seven to pursue education, recognizing that I couldn't study 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 the 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 programme from 2008 until September 2010 to improve my English, and achieved a lot! I completed my graduation from Delhi University and am a successful karate coach for Salaam Baalak Trust and other schools in Delhi. I plan to do a Masters in Social Work as I am very much interested in contributing to society.

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  My name is Danish, I'm 28 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 at 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 their shelter home and participated in various activities while studying through the 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 a lot of crafts work (macramé) and trained many people too. I have a Bachelors degree and also completed my post-graduation. I am currently helping to set up a Volunteer Flat for SBT in Paharganj.

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  My name is Shahadutt, I am 30 years old. I am from Bihar and 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 at the New Delhi Railway Station while searching for my brother. All alone on the streets, I fell prey to a local gang that engaged me in 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 me find my parents and reunite with them. At SBT, I was involved in many activities - as a Walk guide, actor, puppeteer and stage light designer while also pursuing Bachelors of Arts. I worked in the City Walk programme for two years until July 2011, when I went to the USA on a scholarship to study Business Management in Wisconsin. I came back in May 2012 and plan to set up my own business. I am very thankful to Salaam Baalak Trust for positively changing my life and helping me realize my dreams!

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  My name is Satyender, I am 29 years old. I am from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and ran away from my home in 2005 because my father used to beat my family members every day. One day, I was so badly beaten by my father that I made a plan and ran away. I spent one night at the Old Delhi Railway Station where 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. After completing my high school, I worked as a guide in City Walk for two years until June 2012 when I got selected for a U.S scholarship to study Information Technology at the City College of San Francisco. I came back in 2013 and pursued a Degree course in animation and web designing.

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  My name is Iqbal, I'm 28 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 at 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 completed high school through Open Schooling. In 2010, I joined the City Walk Programme as I wanted to improve my communication skills, interact with people from different countries and learn from their culture. Initially, it was quite challenging but soon I gained confidence and was able to present myself in front of others. Since the time I joined City Walk, I developed an interest in the travel industry. I completed a Diploma course in Tourism from Kuoni Travel Academy, and currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration (BBA) through a Distance Education Programme via CQU scholarship. In 2014, I also got selected, through the U.S scholarship, to study a Certificate course in Business Management from Miami Dade College, USA. Now I live independently and want to work for other street children, and support a shelter home like the one I grew up in. I am presently working in the tourism industry.

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  My name is Tabrez, I'm 29 years old. I am from Bihar and at seven years of age, I ran away from my home. I started living on the streets and survived by 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 as I started going to school and completed high school. I have done a basic computer course and a 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 to winning many matches for the organization. I joined the City Walk programme in 2011 as I used to be a very shy person and did not like to talk in front of other people. Since I joined the programme, my communication skills have improved and I have become quite confident. I have a Diploma in Tourism from Bird Academy and presently, I'm working as a Front Office Manager at an International Guest House.

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  My name is Tariq Aziz, I'm 26 years old. I 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 look for ways to earn money and survive. I worked at a tea stall and collected rubbish. Then one day I met a social worker from Salaam Baalak Trust who encouraged me to join one of the shelter homes. I joined SBT in 2005 and my life changed for the better. I learned a lot of things, completed high school and learnt basic computer programming skills. I have been a part of the City Walk programme since 2011 which has allowed me to improve my English communication skills and boost my self-confidence. I have also done a Diploma course in Tourism from Kuoni Travel Academy and currently pursuing a degree in Tourism through a Distance Education Programme via CQU scholarship. In 2014, I was selected through the U.S scholarship to study a certificate course in Tourism Management from Northern Virginia Community College, USA.

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  My name is Kailash and I am from Bihar. As a child, in my home village, I used to take care of the goats and did not attend regular school as it was far from my home. My older brother ran away when he was 11 years old and was already living at Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT). One day, he came back home and asked my father if he could take me to SBT because I wanted to study and my parents could not afford that. My parents are not educated but they understood the value of education and so they agreed. When I arrived in Delhi, I was 8 years old and remember being shocked because I had never seen such big buildings or crowds before. My brother took me to SBT straight away so unlike most of the other children there, I never spent any time living on the street. Because I was a village boy from Bihar, I could not speak any Hindi and was quite shy, and missed my family a lot. After some months, however, I attended the fifth class from a regular school and learnt Hindi, Maths and English. This made me feel a lot happier as I could interact with other children. Currently, I have completed a six-month course in basic computers and multimedia. I joined the City Walk team in 2012 because I wanted to improve my English communication skills and gain confidence. I have also done a Diploma course in Tourism from Kuoni Travel Academy and also pursuing a degree in Tourism through a Distance Education Programme via CQU scholarship. In 2014, I was selected through a U.S scholarship to study a certificate course in Tourism Management from Miami Dade College, USA.