Makkala Mitra

My father, Ambreesh, and mother, Kolaveri, worked as rag pickers in Nelamangala colony, Bengaluru Rural. Our family, including my parents, younger sister, and me, resided in Nelamangala. I was enrolled in the 1st standard at a nearby Government school. Unfortunately, my father struggled with alcoholism, leading to physical and verbal abuse towards my mother. Our mealtimes were disrupted, and on the days my parents went rag picking, it was the only time we could manage to fill our stomachs, otherwise, we faced the risk of going hungry.

The rural ChildLine team intervened, rescuing me and taking me to the Praspara Adoption Centre in Arisnakunte, Nelamangala Taluk. Both my sister and I found accommodation there, and I continued my education, completing my 2nd standard at a nearby Government school. Despite the challenges, my mother would visit us periodically to check on our well-being.

When our time at the adoption center concluded in 2021, I was presented to the Rural Child Welfare Committee, who facilitated my transition to the Sparsha Open Shelter where our lives transformed and now, we are living a comfortable life by going to school every day and, we get proper nutritious food.