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Success Stories

What we do

SATHI’s work primarily revolves around two themes – “early intervention” and “restoration of separated children back to family”. Early intervention means contacting or rescuing a child within one or two days of the child’s arrival on the platform; before it has a prolonged exposure to the risks of street life. Restoration of a child back to its family follows the basic principle of “home” being the best place for a child to live and grow. SATHI’s programs are made up of the following components

Youth Initiative Restores a 150-Year-Old Historic Well, Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for the Community

. Under the project “Securing the Rights of Children and Youth of Migrant Communities,” SATHI has been working in Bijangire Gram Panchayat, Raichur Taluk, to improve the education, protection, nutrition, and social security of children, youth, and families from migrant communities.

During the first six months of the project, SATHI focused on strengthening access to education for migrant children, creating awareness about government social protection schemes, and mobilizing youth into active community groups. These youth groups meet twice a month to discuss local issues, participate in leadership and skill development activities, and identify solutions to challenges affecting their villages

During one such meeting, community members highlighted the poor quality of the existing drinking water supply. Water quality tests revealed a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of 368 mg/L, making the water less suitable for regular drinking. Villagers recalled that a 150-year-old historic open well, which had once been the primary source of clean drinking water, had been abandoned for nearly 25 years due to neglect and the dumping of garbage and waste.

Recognizing the importance of restoring this valuable community resource, the Bhagat Singh Youth Group of Bijangire village, with technical support from Biome Trust, Bengaluru, and facilitation by SATHI, took the initiative to revive the well. Over three consecutive days, the youth voluntarily cleaned the site, removed accumulated waste and debris, and restored the well to a usable condition through collective community effort.

Following the restoration, the well water was tested again. The results showed a TDS level of 195 mg/L, indicating significantly better water quality and confirming that the restored well provides clean and safe drinking water for the community.

Today, the restored well serves as a reliable source of safe drinking water for village residents while also preserving an important historical asset. More importantly, this initiative demonstrates how informed, organized, and motivated youth can become catalysts for positive community change. By identifying local problems, mobilizing community participation, and taking collective action, the youth transformed a neglected public resource into a sustainable solution that benefits the entire village.

This success story highlights the power of youth leadership, community participation, and collective responsibility in improving access to essential services and strengthening community resilience.

At each of SATHI’s project locations, a team of 4 to 5 outreach workers patrol the railway stations every day for 8 to 10 hours looking for and identifying missing/lost children, children unaccompanied by adults, children who appear to move in an unfamiliar area or suspected to be trafficked, etc. These children are contacted in a friendly manner and motivated to come to the safety of a shelter. The shelters are normally located close to the station. The children are transferred by the order of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and support of the local railway authorities – Government Railway Police (GRP) and/or Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Once a child is brought to the shelter, it is given basic facilities including food, clothing, medicines (if required) and washing facilities. Through a series of activities and casual interactions, the child is made to feel comfortable. The counsellors at the shelters then have sessions with the child to understand his reasons for being away from the family and try to motivate the child to go back to the care and affection of his family.

Children who have recently run away from home usually respond well to our program and share details about their families quickly. Most children stay in the shelters for 2 to 3 days after which they are either reunited with families or are referred to other institutions for further care and counselling.

SATHI is running shelters at Pune and New Delhi under the scheme of “Mission Vatsalya”, MWCD, GoI.

Based on the information given by the child, his address is traced and family contacted. In many cases, the child provides a contact number or the name of his village. With this the parents are contacted directly or through the police network. In some cases a combination of efforts such as using internet and social media, contacting other NGOs or institutions, team members’ own personal network of contacts result in successful address tracing.

The families are invited to come to the shelter to receive their children. This provides us an opportunity to interact deeply with the parents / guardians about the problems of the child, reasons for separation and care plan for the future. We recommend restoration of the child back with its family if it meets the following criteria:

  • Child must be willing to go home
  • There must be at least one person in the family to look after the child with care and affection
  • Child must have a space for learning and growth
  • Basic needs of the child are met (food, clothing, shelter)
  • The real reason for separation is identified and addressed
  • There are no or minimal chances of repetition of separation

The final decision with regard to restoration of the child rests with the Child Welfare Committee of the respective districts. In case the children cannot be sent back to family, they are referred to the Govt. Children’s Home or any other institution for further care and protection.

SATHI engages with Govt. Children Homes across the country to help children who have been staying in the homes for long duration reunite with their families. We approach the respective state governments for access to the homes for identifying children who are not in contact with families or those in whose cases address tracing efforts were not successful or children who are unwilling to open up. Our counsellors engage with such children and after sustained efforts, many of their families are found and children are restored.

An important component of our work in government homes is to sensitize the Govt. Home staff and involve them in the restoration process, so that they are able to help more children themselves. Over the years, we are happy to note that more children are being restored through the initiatives of the government home staff.

COVID-19 pandemic across India was an unprecedented crisis that affected lakhs of families, including children. With income sources dwindling during the pandemic and limited financial savings to rely on, loss of the breadwinner resulted in great economic hardship on the families. Children may discontinue their education for financial reason. SATHI is supporting these children and their families through:

Supporting children to continue their education

  • Provide financial support to help pay school, fees uniforms, travel and tuitions
  • For teenaged children (16 years and above) provide skill training for job placement
  • Help apply for scholarships and government benefits
 

Supporting and enabling surviving parent or guardian

  • Provide financial assistance for food and housing in emergency situations.
  • Counsel single mothers and orient them towards various livelihood development opportunities
  • Link the children and their families/guardians with government social security schemes
  • Help a subset of the women start or expand their small business ventures (self-employment)
 

Through this project, we have helped 381 children and 56 single parents helped to expand their business at Pune and Bangalore.

Launched in August 2025, this project operates in Raichur and Yadgir, two highly underserved districts with many migrant labour families. Bangalore, a major destination for migrant workers from these districts, is also part of the project.

The project focuses on protecting the rights of children and youth from migrant communities by supporting education continuity, care and protection, access to entitlements, youth development, and stronger engagement with local systems.

Terre des Hommes Germany supports the project.

Our Approach

The project follows a community-based approach to identify vulnerable children and youth, understand their needs, and connect them with education, care, protection, and development opportunities. SATHI works with children, families, schools, hostels, government departments, and local stakeholders to reduce the risks faced by migrant families and ensure that children remain connected to learning, safety, and support systems.

SATHI’s project in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune works with children and adolescents living in street-connected and high-risk communities. Many children face difficult living conditions, disrupted education, substance use, child labour, abuse, trafficking, and limited access to healthcare and protection services.

The project focuses on identifying children at risk through community outreach and mapping, supporting them through Learning Centres, counselling, education linkages, referrals, and child protection interventions. It also works closely with families, schools, local authorities, Child Welfare Committees, police, and community stakeholders.

Through awareness campaigns, school and community engagement, case management, and rehabilitation support, the project helps children return to education, care, dignity, and safer life pathways.

The project is supported by Educo India.

Our Approach

The project follows a community-based child protection approach that combines prevention, early identification, intervention, and rehabilitation. By working closely with children, families, schools, and local systems, the project aims to create safer environments where children can access education, protection, care, and opportunities for a better future.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to have limited representation in national-level competitive examinations such as CUET, CLAT, NDA, JEE, and NEET. Many capable students lack the awareness, guidance, and academic support needed to prepare effectively.

To address this gap, SATHI provides academically bright high school students with free online coaching in Mathematics and Science, with a focus on conceptual understanding, along with guidance and mentorship. Over the past five years, the programme has supported more than 200 students.