Introduction

Anish, who, at just 15 years old, found himself trapped in a web of darkness. He had dropped out of school, influenced by older boys from his village he began selling illegal alcohol at night. His life was filled with bad habits—tobacco, smoking, and alcohol. Night after night, he would roam the streets, peddling alcohol until the early hours of the morning. His family, no strangers to addiction themselves, remained silent witnesses to his self-destructive behaviour. When the police raids came, Anish and his companions would scatter, sometimes facing brutal consequences. But despite the beatings and the setbacks, Anish did not stop.

A Ray of Hope Emerges

However, hope arrived in the form of regular counselling and the nurturing environment created by the SAVE program. Slowly, Anish began to change his harmful habits. He exhibited remarkable resilience, developing endurance that allowed him to effortlessly run 10 kilometres, transforming into the fittest and one of the finest players on the team currently. His exceptional skills earned him Most Valuable Player (MVP) prizes in tournaments, with teams from across India recognizing his talent.

Overcoming Family Challenges

But the challenges were far from over. Anish hailed from a poverty-stricken family where his father’s addiction left him unable to work. His mother and elder brother bore the weight of supporting the family, with his brother working tirelessly in the tile and marble installation trade. The job demands hard physical labour and often requires extended periods away from home and late-night work to meet deadlines.
This year, as Anish turned 18, familial pressures mounted, compelling him to join his brother at work. The physical exhaustion and time constraints began to take a toll. He started arriving late for practice, missed tuition classes, and his overall health deteriorated.

In Anish’s own words, he confessed, “Whenever I start going to work, I become like them, I start abusing, and my tone becomes rude. I start behaving in an uneducated and irresponsible manner. That environment starts to influence me negatively and pushes me to become an older version of myself. I feel like my growth has stopped.”

A New Beginning: LEAP Program

A solution was urgently needed, and it arrived in the form of a small dairy business through our LEAP program. This venture allowed Anish to earn a livelihood, practice his beloved sport of ultimate frisbee, continue his studies, and acquire an additional skill. While the income was modest, and his family urged him to seek more lucrative work, Anish remained dedicated to his pursuit of personal growth. He expanded his skillset to include video editing and now dreams of becoming a professional in the field.
His brother and mother consults with him in making crucial decisions, and he effectively resolves conflicts not only within his own home but also in the neighbourhood. From a life stuck in darkness, Anish has extended his transformation beyond growth; he has emerged as a guiding light, brightening the path toward a brighter future for himself, his family, and his community.