The boy in this picture from 1974 is one of Our Children. Here is his story.

“I am an MD specializing in Dermatologist and a Cosmetic Laser Surgeon with my own chain of clinics. As one of the pioneers in the growing field of cosmetology in India, I am a faculty and trainer conducting workshops worldwide and also am on the panel of several TV Channels. 

I was born to illiterate parents and was 2nd of five children when we came to Mumbai from my village in the 5th standard. I used to stay with my parents in slums, selling vegetables on the footpath and sleeping there. We often went to sleep without a meal. 

I came in contact with Our Children for my English classes in Five Gardens and soon developed a liking for studies. My icons Ram and Dhananjay Sir encouraged me in my education and I started topping my school. The turning point was when Ram Sir took me to his house for continuing my education and I stayed there for three years and completed my college to join medicine. 

My goal was to study as much as possible and become a highly qualified and respectable citizen and stay connected always with Our Children. 

Our Children encouraged my liking for education and also developed my personality. The confidence and support given, made me pursue my dreams”

In our 47 years of working with underprivileged children in welfare organizations across Mumbai,  we at Our Children have many such stories to tell. Our experiences have proven that education creates a growth  path for children to pursue their dreams and leap ahead to change the trajectory of their lives. Supercharging them to dream and achieve the impossible. This led us to create our education and mentorship program SuperCharge.

This fund raise is for SuperCharging the lives of deserving students from child welfare institutions. These institutions house children below the age of 18 years who are orphans, from broken families, destitute or in judicial custody. It is our experience that dropout rates are higher when  children finish their 10th and 12th grades succumbing to the pressure of survival and getting a job, getting into the trap of a low paying menial job and a bleak future.

Last year we provided assistance to 50+ students and our goal for this year is to provide funds for education to 100 children who pass out of 10th and 12th grade and wish to pursue higher education including career/ professional courses.  On an average we would be sponsoring  5 students from 20 institutes each for amount of Rs. 10,000/- per student.  (100 *10,000 = 10,00000). In case of academically deserving students we could extend more support.

Our Children brings love, happiness and identity into the lives of less privileged children. Founded in 1970, Our Children (OC) partners with over 35 Child Welfare Institutions in Mumbai to run development programs and activities. We are volunteer driven  with a large number  of volunteers being impacted by OC in their Institution days. Over the course of 47 years Our Children has a stellar reputation of passion, commitment and integrity to ensure that your generosity has the maximum impact.