Nasreen* and her family of ten live in a small room in the heart of Mumbai, surrounded by a bustling slum community. The living conditions are harsh as the room is cramped, and the stench from the nearby dumping ground is difficult to tolerate. All ten members – including Nasreen’s parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles – share this small space.
Nasreen’s father is the family’s sole breadwinner, earning Rs. 9000 to 10000 a month working as a driver. Nasreen’s illiterate mother takes care of the household and often faces abuse from her mother-in-law. The rest of the family is not always helpful, leaving Nasreen’s mother to handle all the responsibilities, even when she feels unwell. Despite having access to water, electricity, and gas in their home, the family’s high electric bill is a constant struggle because of their large size. They do not have a private bathroom and must pay Rs.5 each time they use the public one. The constant need to budget carefully and make ends meet weighs heavily on their minds, making each day a battle for financial stability.
Nasreen and her family struggled to make ends meet. They couldn’t afford books or school supplies, and their parents worked long hours just to put food on the table. However, a glimmer of hope entered their lives with the intervention of Vision Rescue.
Nasreen’s educational journey began with her older sister, who joined Vision Rescue’s Beacon Learning Center (BLC) in 2018. The impact on her education and overall well-being was remarkable. As their eldest child flourished in this new learning environment, Nasreen’s parents were encouraged. Seeing the positive effects on their daughter, they realised the power of education to bring change to their family.
Her mother says, “Vision Rescue has helped me and guided me to take all the steps necessary to ensure my child’s education and well-being. They assisted in securing my children’s rights through various government schemes.” She continues with joyful tears, “My child talks about all the things she has learned from school and shows curiosity. We are happy and lively.”
In 2021, Nasreen’s brother also joined BLC. The positive effects on both of them only strengthened their parents’ belief in the transformative power of education. The once-distant dream of a brighter future began to take shape as the children eagerly embraced learning opportunities. Their eyes lit up with excitement, their minds hungry for knowledge and growth. With each passing day, their dreams burned brighter and stronger.
Finally, in 2022, Nasreen joined BLC. She walked into BLC with excitement and a readiness to learn, following in the footsteps of her siblings. The family noticed significant improvements not only in their children’s academic abilities but also in their overall growth and development. Her Teacher at BLC says, “The child was not able to read or write before, but now she reads and writes. Nasreen is punctual, regular, helpful, and enthusiastic. She is curious and loves activities. The child is receptive to learning and shows interest in learning.”
Nasreen dreams of being a social worker, inspired by the positive influence of Vision Rescue’s Case Officer (CO). Her youngest sibling, who’s just three years old, is expected to join BLC in the next academic year. The family found joy and motivation in the collective progress of their three enrolled children: the oldest in 4th grade at BMC, the second in 1st grade also at BMC, and the youngest is in Junior KG at BLC.
Nasreen’s family shows how education can make a big difference in a community. One child’s successful experience unlocked opportunities for the entire family, leading to positive transformations. Our hearts overflow with gratitude towards our generous donors whose acts of kindness have brightened Nasreen and her family’s future. Your support shines like a beacon of hope, bringing about positive change for impoverished children, one life at a time.
*Names Changed to Protect Privacy
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Vision Rescue exists to rescue children from all forms of exploitation by engaging and sustaining them in education. We are a registered NGO for child education under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950.
You too can partner with Vision Rescue to empower people to find their purpose, enjoy their rights and live with dignity
Join us as a volunteer – www.visionrescue.co.in/volunteer
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