Nearly a decade ago, Sooraj, clad in soiled clothes, used to loiter on the dim-lit streets of Bengaluru picking up garbage for a living. At about the same time, Sumathi was found abandoned in the city. Christopher saw his mother set herself on fire and die.
Today, Sooraj is pursuing a course in Chartered Accountancy; Sumathi is pursuing a degree in commerce while Christopher is working in a multinational IT company. The common thread binding them is the Banyan Community School, off Hennur Main Road, run by social worker Jeny Verma.
Like them, hundreds of deprived children, including those living in quarries, orphanages and streets, are offered free education till 8th standard. After that, they are admitted to either government or private schools before being enrolled in colleges to pursue courses of their choice.
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Most children in the school have clear goals because all through their school years, they are taken to the airport, railway stations and various companies to learn about different professions.
“I was lucky to be picked up by Makkala Sahaya Vani and put in the school. Till then, I had no aim in life. It was the school that served as a launch pad. Otherwise, I would not have known about the various career options,” says Sooraj.
For Sumathi, her classmates are family members and she fondly refers to Jenny as ‘Aunty’. “I wish to write the UPSC examinations and become an IAS officer. This way I can help a lot of children and do something for society,” says the 18-year-old.
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While it was not possible to contact Christopher, Jeny recalls that his father sustained burns while trying to save his mother, who had set herself ablaze. “He had a troubled childhood and did not have money. But he fought his way up,” she says.
Recalling their early days in the school, Jeny says that the children hid behind their inhibitions for a long time . “Slowly, they started realising that others too had a troubled past and became friends,” she says.
Now the three students wish to give back something to the school that changed the course of their lives. “Once I get employed, I will surely take all efforts to help street children,” says Sooraj. Sumathi wishes to teach children in the school.
But for Jeny, the journey has only begun. “I have to help more underprivileged children,” she says.
(Names have been changed to protect the identity of children)