Opening Doorz

By Our Correspondent | Opening Doorz Editorial | February 06, 2018

“Thanks to Shelter, Prabhakar has a home of his own in Nallasopara, a distant suburb in Mumbai. The owner of Society Tea, who is also a benefactor of Don Bosco Shelter, has seen Prabhakar as an urchin when he first came into Shelter. He has helped him with his self-contained home.”

— Prabhakar Nadar, now 30, ran away from his home in search of education and a better life.

Name: Prabhakar Nadar
Age: 30
Place of birth: Mumbai
With the centre from: 2002-2011
Family background: Father used to do menial jobs on the streets and his mother was a housewife.

Prabhakar, who works as a personal driver, came to Shelter in the hope of getting an education and a secure upbringing. He says that he never missed his home or family as Shelter became his new home, his safe haven!

Prabhakar is currently working as a driver for an employee of Society Tea. He worked as the driver for Shelter Don Bosco for seven years previously after completing his education and learning to drive. He has even managed to enrol his late sister’s children into boarding schools and is supporting them.

Troubled times…
Prabhakar ran away from his family in his early teens as they could not provide for his education and other basic needs. He used to work for catering companies and his father was planning to make him work for a tempo company once he was old enough. All he wanted to ensure was that his son got enough money home. It was pretty much a hand-to-mouth existence and Prabhakar was denied his wish of attending school. He hated the environment at home and wanted more from life than what his father was offering. The boy understood that he had to try and pursue his dreams on his own. One fine day, he ran away from his family. Thus began his journey on the streets of Mumbai.

It was in the year 2002 that Prabhakar arrived with several other street children at the monthly mela held by Shelter Don Bosco. After learning about the opportunities Shelter could give him, he decided to stay and start pursuing his dream of going to school.

Working towards transformation…
Prabhakar came to Shelter in the hope of getting an education and a secure upbringing. He says that he never missed his home or family as the Shelter became his new home, his safe haven.  No more had he to worry about doing odd jobs to please his father. Previously, he would never know when he would get his next meal, or if he would have to go out and work all day in the sweltering heat. He says that if he had not come to Shelter, he could have ended up doing drugs and consuming alcohol like many children on the streets do and would have never reached where he is today. Looking back, he is thankful for all the people who came into his life to change the course of his destiny.

Shelter Don Bosco provided him with all he needed to blossom into a well-groomed, intelligent individual. He studied till Std XII and then did a technical course at Bosco Boys Home Borivali after which he started working as a driver for Shelter.

Saying thank you…
Prabhakar often visits Shelter and speaks to the boys about his experiences. He says that he will do whatever he can to give back to the place he calls home. He understands how important it is for young men and women to have a secure childhood, good company and education. He wishes to help them in their journey and keep the good deed rolling.

Thanks to Shelter, he now has a home of his own in Nallasopara, a distant suburb in Mumbai. The owner of Society Tea, who is also a benefactor of Shelter Don Bosco, who has seen Prabhakar as an urchin when he first came here, has gone out of his way to help him. On his part, Prabhakar, at times, still cannot believe he is that same boy who walked into Shelter Don Bosco 15 years ago, not knowing what life had in store for him. The year 2002, is a life-changing year for him.

(From the book Forever Grateful to Don Bosco: Success Stories of the Young at Risk)

Also Read: We believe in helping the child who is at risk… Fr. Gregory Almeida (sdb)