Success Stories

1. Fatima Shaikh (Setting an example.)

She was found begging on the road in Kurla by one of the Aasara outreach staff and was brought to the Day Care Centre. She was approximately 4 years old. She could not say much about her family and after knowing she has no body, she was sent to the Aasara shelter home. Being the first girl child of Aasara shelter she was naturally given all the attention. She also paved the way for other girl children to follow in her footstep. She has completed her SSC and HSC. At the time of completing her tenure in the shelter, she was pursuing her BA through correspondence (Y.B. Chavan University) and managed to get a job too. Today she is staying as a paying guest and working as a Supervisor in a company at Navi Mumbai.

2. Preeti Shinde & her 3 siblings – Orphaned but not alone

Being away from your parents is one thing but totally losing them is graver and this was the case of the Preeti, Naina, Archana and Pradnya. With no relatives to take their responsibility, the negihbours were doing it but that too lasted not for long. This forced the little girls aged 3 to 6 years to beg for their most basic need of food and water. In 2004, Aasara staff found Preeti begging on the Kalyan Station and took her to the Day Care Centre. Her sisters too started visiting the Centre and all were immediately admitted to the Aasara Suraksha girls shelter home. Their joy knew no bounds with the new secure surrounding and new friends. It was a real challenge for the staff to take care of the toddlers at the time but collectively managed. One by one they were admitted to school and all did well successfully completing their SSC, HSC and continued their education till graduation through correspondence and were rehabilitated back to their relatives, who gladly received them.

3. Pinky & Neelam Kamble – Orphaned sisters contributing to Society

These sisters were with their mother living on the street but soon were orphaned on their mother’s death. Whilst with their mother they used to visit Aasara’s Day Centre at Kurla. Neelam was 10 years and Pinky was 5 years of age and wanted to go to school like other children she used to see . After being orphaned, they started to stay in Aasara’s shelter home for boys and girls. Shortly, Aasara started a separate shelter home for girls and these sisters were the first batch to shift at Neral, Karjat. They were admitted to formal schools and Neelam completed her SSC whilst Pinky continued further with HSC and now will shortly complete her graduation in Social Work. Pinky is already ‘giving back’ to the Society by teaching other street children in the Aasara Thane Day Care Centre. Neelam is married and a home maker.

4. Ujwala Pagare - Putting her past behind

She was referred by her grandmother after both her parents passed away in 2007. On knowing that none of her relatives wants to take care of her and her siblings, she was admitted to the shelter home. Her siblings were taken to another NGO by her grandmother. Meanwhile Ujwala did not allow the separation to subdue her. She did well in her academic studies and passed her SSC first attempt. Having an inclination for professional skills than formal education, she was admitted to the ITI of girls at Thane and completed the course in electronics. At the time of her tenure ending at the shelter as per the government rule, she was rehabilitated with her elder sister at Nashik.

5. Aruna Kanojia – Rag picking to skills picking

She was forced into doing rag picking along with her other siblings after her parents sudden death in 2006, she was referred to by the government agency CWC. Taking advantage of the many activities at the Aasara shelter home, Aruna developed skills like dancing, singing, art and craft apart from the normal academic studies. This has made her confident and positive which she would never have thought of before. She completed her SSC and got admitted to the ITI for girls at Thane in the electronic trade. At the time of completion she was rehabilitated with her brother as per the government advice of the CWC

The 17 year old Aruna is doing her three year ITI course from Thane. She hopes to get a good job and earn well after her graduation. She started off as a rag picker with her siblings after her parent’s demise. After coming to Aasara, she has developed multiple skills and feels very positive and confident about life today. She has learnt dancing, singing, arts & crafts apart from academics. These skills she never thought she could develop.

6. Shankar Khairnar

22 year old Shankar Kalu Khairnar escaped clutches of domestic violence at the hands of his alcoholic father at the tender age of five from his hometown in Nashik. He started off as a boot polish boy at Thane station where he was spotted by BBC employees while they were making a documentary on Bombay Railways and was sent to Aasara. The documentary features Shankar and his life on the platform. Today he is working as a sales boy with Cartridge world. He is also working part time as driving coach.

7. Shankar Khairnar

Pinky was 7 years old when she was found by Aasara volunteers at Kurla Railway station. Her quench for learning was identified by Aasara employees and soon she was moved to Aasara’s shelter home for girls. She has successfully completed S.S.C with 73%, H.S.C with 60%.

She has also completed 2 year course in ITI. She is currently pursuing B.A. and wishes to pursue her Masters in Social Work. Currently, she is doing a commendable job as a teacher for children at Aasara’s Thane Day care centre. She is good at singing and making rangolis.

8. Pinky Kamble

Pinky was 7 years old when she was found by Aasara volunteers at Kurla Railway station. Her quench for learning was identified by Aasara employees and soon she was moved to Aasara’s shelter home for girls. She has successfully completed S.S.C with 73%, H.S.C with 60%.

She has also completed 2 year course in ITI. She is currently pursuing B.A. and wishes to pursue her Masters in Social Work. Currently, she is doing a commendable job as a teacher for children at Aasara’s Thane Day care centre. She is good at singing and making rangolis.

9. Vaibhav Khairnar

Vaibhav Khairnar was around 5 when his family suffered financial problems. He was left abandoned on Thane Railway station. He was found by Aasara volunteers and grew up in the shelter home of Aasara. Aasara provided him with food, clothing, shelter and education which are the basic necessities for any child. What sets him apart from others was his interest in dance. This was soon recognized and he got scholarship to learn dance from Shiamak Davar. He has also completed course in acting from “Anupam Kher’s actor prepares, The School for Actors”. He is currently working in TCS and pursuing part-time MBA from Welingkar Institute of Management Development.