Meet the people you help

Saeed Alam Kaleel Ahmad

Saeed Alam Kaleel Ahmad, as all twelve year olds has a twinkle in his eyes as he talks to you. He stays at a short distance from the dumping ground with his family. Kaleel’s father sells clothes for a living, and his mother is a housewife. He has three older brothers who work at the local garment shop. Ask him about what his did before he stared visiting the drop-in center, he launches into a detailed explanation of his daily schedule. Kaleel spent most of his day at the dumping ground.

But earning the money was not that easy, the dangerous conditions of the dumping ground unscrupulous buyers made it even more difficult. The buyers would openly cheat the boys of their money, but not a word could be said against them because that would mean the end of business for Kaleel. As I speak to Kaleel I ask him why he’s never been to school, but he tells you he has. He dropped out of school because he did not like the way the teachers treated him always shouting and punishing them, he’s quick to remind you that the teacher at the Pratham class also reprimands him for his mistakes, but not in the same way. 

According to his teacher, Kaleel has changed a lot. He’s gone from spending the entire day on the dumping ground to now spending that time in the Drop-in Centre. There have been days when the teacher has to personally call him to class. And there are days when he’s the first one to show up ready to play and learn.

Kaleel wants to be a doctor when he grows up. He reasons that doctors really help people when they are in need. For him the best way to help people is this. Only time will tell whether Kaleel goes on to fulfill this dream or if his dreams change but the one thing is certain that this smart little boy has begun dreaming.