CONTEXT
In the Hyderabad metropolitan area—one of India’s hubs for human trafficking— countless children disappear without a trace every year. For families living in poverty, single parents or relatives caring for children after the loss or disappearance of their parents, providing adequate care is an immense challenge. In their daily struggle for survival, many are unable to support their children’s basic needs. Instead of going to school, the children spend their time on the streets trying to earn money or are given away.
Under these conditions, the risks of child labour and abuse are extremely high. The need for safe housing and stable, family-style support for vulnerable children is therefore urgent.
GROWING UP IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Through four children’s homes, Usthi offers vulnerable children and young people a safe environment in which they can grow up in a way that is appropriate for their age. The children’s homes are structured as shared living communities and are supervised by trained caregivers who provide consistent support. This environment helps children feel secure and build friendships. All children attend a nearby school.
One of the shared living communities specifically takes in children whose mothers work in the sex industry. Here, they can grow up protected from a high-risk environment while maintaining contact with their mothers.
In addition, an awareness campaign help educate and sensitize the local community about the risks and realities faced by vulnerable children.
READY FOR A SELF-DETERMINED FUTURE
Priya was one of the first girls to arrive at the children’s home in Hyderabad. She grew up in the shared living community and attended a nearby school. After completing her schooling in 2016, Priya moved on. She graduated in 2022 and began her career at a well-known Indian IT company. Her income allows her to be financially independent. But Priya’s ambitions go even further: she dreams of joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), India’s highest civil service.
*The name has been changed to protect the girl’s privacy.
The children’s home project is supported by the Fagus lucida Foundation.
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