Case Studies

“ Life outside home is very hard. It’s difficult to get food on time. I realised school is very good. I want to live with my parents ”, says Rupesh, 13 years old


Rupesh, 13 years old, ran away from home, caught the train and landed at the City Railway Station, Bangalore, Karnataka. He was out of home for 6 days and was home placed with his family by SATHI, EveryChild India’s local Partner along with 15 other children who ran away from home under different circumstances and landed in Bangalore. When he ran away from home, he brought along his 7 year old neighbourhood friend – Gudadaiah. He brought him along promising that he will take him to his father who lives in another district. At that time, Gudadaiah was badly missing his father who had left the village after having a fight with his grandfather.

Rupesh’s mother, Nagamma died when he three years old. At that time his brother was one year old. He and his brother are being brought up by his mother’s sister (married to his father’s elder brother). His father Devappa works as a labourer (coolie), he breaks stones. He leaves home at 4 am and returns back by 6 pm earning 3000 rupees a month. He remarried after Rupesh’s mother’s death and has a four year old son from the second marriage. They live in a village in Raichur district, Karnataka.

Before Rupesh left the house he was studying in 7th standard in the neighbourhood school and was a good student.
Rupesh is aware that his mother is dead. Since the birth of his step-brother (who gets most of the attention and love being the youngest among all children), Rupesh feels left out and wishes to be loved the same way. So he left home since he was not getting enough love and attention at home.

SATHI rescued Rupesh along with Gudadaiah and brought them to the transit shelter. After counselling at the shelter, the children gave the contact numbers of their families and the organisation contacted them. The reunion took place on 21 January 2011. Rupesh’s aunty, uncle and father came to take him back home and Gudadaiah was taken home by his father, mother and grandfather. Before being home placed the families were counselled and advised to devote time to their children. Rupesh’s father and aunty were advised to express their love for him.

On an average SATHI rescues 5-10 children like Rupesh from the platforms of City Railway Satation and Yeshwantpur Railway Station. These children run away from their homes due to various pull and push factors. These factors range from fear of exam, school and teachers to violence at home, work place, curiosity factors and search for job etc. Once these children land on the railway station, they fall prey to number of exploitative factors, substance abuse and anti-social practices. To save their future, SATHI reunites them with their families and if the family atmosphere is not suitable for their development, the organisation refers them for alternate care.

Rupesh’s favourite subject is Mathematics. He likes playing Kabbadi with his 5 friends and also goes for swimming in the village pond regularly.