Lakshya Artisan Story- India

Rajeev and Umesh were part of a larger youth rehabilitation program, Karm Marg in New-Delhi. They began their own initiative by the name of “Lakshya”, meaning goal. With the support of the Salam Balak Trust, a well known children and youth rehabilitation center, Lakshya currently runs a center in the village. Many youth and children, who have either runaway from homes or orphaned are found at public places such as railway stations and bus stands. Lakshya's network of people, who closely monitor these locations and keep a regular contact with the local police, bring these youth and children to the shelter. In some cases, parents or relatives are contacted and the children are sent back, in other cases they stay at the shelter for sometime and escape again, while some stay on. Currently, Lakshya supports a mixed group of 25 youth and children in the age group of 7-25 years.

At Lakshya, younger children in the age group of 7-16 years are sent to local schooling facilities. Due to limited funds, the organization has not been able to sponsor children for further education. So, the youth learn several vocational skills which will help them to earn a living in the future. 5-6 youth are trained in making patchwork bags and other accessories such as, diary covers, wallets, purses and belts. Other vocational trainings include administrative jobs, cooking & catering, auto mechanics etc. Lakshya sells the handmade bags and other products made by these youth at the shelter through exhibitions and a few stores across India. The organization hopes to rescue and rehabilitate more children and youth who have runaway from their homes, and is constantly trying to provide them with a more meaningful way to live.