Meet Arbaz – 14 years old, loves music, has 12 siblings (eight brothers and four sisters), an unemployed father and a mother who sells vegetables for a living.
While four of his brothers and one sister are married and have moved out, arbaz and the rest of his family live in a single room in the slum community of mankhurd. arbaz dropped out of school quite early on and now makes a living selling cigarettes part time.
Despite his difficult circumstances, there’s one passion that always lights up Arbaz’s eyes – cricket !
Over a year and a half ago, he wandered into the vision rescue sports program through some friends who were already part of the cricket team. In a few months Arbaz was growing his game in leaps and bounds.
Over the last year, Arbaz’s outlook to life and vision for his future have matured.
He has participated in several volunteering efforts with vision rescue – one to help roof slum hutments during mumbai’s monsoon, and another to raise awareness about human trafficking in india.
He has also volunteered as a ball boy for DHL’s corporate cricket tournament.
For the near future, arbaz has set his eyes on mca’s under-16 trials, and he’s determined to make it through to selections. His ambition is to someday make a career in cricket.
Thank you for giving Arbaz, and other teens like him, a hope and direction for their future!
