Sapna ('dream' in the Hindi language) was a 17 year old school going girl in one of the slums of Mumbai. She was a dreamer. She nurtured grandiose fantasies about the tinsel and glamour of Bollywood and the day she herself would walk the ramp! Her dream turned into a NIGHTMARE! Her neighbour, promising her the big break, deceived and 'escorted' her to the other end of the city only for her to be forcibly raped many, many times in a hotel. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in an observation home for children. After all, she had committed the crime of dreaming.

Sahaara's trackers traverse through labyrinthine gullies in Mumbai slums in search of the families of the children discharged from the observation homes. Armed with the barest of details about Sapna, the trackers traced her family and visited them. The family had been shocked and humiliated by the injustice done to her. Through relationship building, counsel and care, Sapna and her family began the journey of overcoming their trauma. Through financial assistance for books and fees and sustained efforts to dispel the cloud of fears, she started to pursue higher education. Sapna's tentative attempts in this pursuit paid great dividends, she has cleared all her examinations and we trust that henceforth her life will only get better! Sapna no longer wilts in the memory of her horrid past, but now steps out into the sunshine ready to face society and her future.

Sakshi ('witness' in in the Hindi language ) was a 13 year old village girl. Her uncle from Mumbai, visiting their village, persuaded her entire family to allow Sakshi to accompany him to tour around Mumbai. Excited, Sakshi packed her bags not realising that she was never to return. She was thus trafficked, tortured, beaten and sold into the abominable flesh trade. She tried to run away, several times, but failed. She was then sold to a money lender who would periodically desert her and leave her to beg for food and money. Worse, she was harassed by every creditor, for the money lender's debts. Today Sakshi is a 34 year old city bred woman who has lost her only son to AIDS when he was five. She has no skills, her only 'work' experience is being a sex slave and a beggar and she is HIV positive.

Sahaara staff built a trust relationship with her over several years. With encouragement, she was emboldened to take a stand, claim her rightful freedom and walk out on the parasitic money lender. Today she has exited the red light area for good and has acquired skills of sewing, cooking and tailoring. Today she is seamlessly integrated into society and participates actively in many community meetings. Today she is on ART medication with an improved Hb count. Today she is no longer a sex slave but a human being who says "Life feels like heaven" . This is just one story, nevertheless Sakshi seeks to influence and witness many more lives being transformed.

Kajal, a 6 year old girl, the eldest in her family works in the bunder (dock) earning additional income for her family. The whole family, assists the fishermen in their toil. Kajal knows to draw in the nets too! She kills the gasping fish, sorts them, cleans the prawns and puts them in boxes. Then she waits in never ending serpentine queues to fill water in her pots and carries them home (perching them on her waist) alongside maa . She goes home to help maa by washing vessels, cutting onions and taking care of her crying baby sister while maa goes back to the bunder...Her life was this mind-numbing routine until...

Sahaara's slum school has changed the course of 3-6 year olds and the older children in Kajal's neighbourhood. Today Kajal and her friends can read, write and dream of a better future. 62 children herein are enthused about learning through innovative teaching learning methodologies and parents are motivated to educate their children through parent teacher meetings. First generation learners are provided the opportunity of education, infused with hope and assisted even as they join municipal schools. After generations of ignorance and despair, Kajal's tender hands finally hold books and pencils today.