Child labour robs children of their childhood, but it doesn’t have to define their future. Yes, the trauma is real. Children are pushed into work by poverty, displacement, and desperation. But with the right intervention at the right moment, these cycles can be broken. Futures can be rewritten.

At Railway Children India, we meet children at the crossroads, sometimes at a railway station, sometimes in their crowded basti, and help them take a different path—one filled with safety, support, and the chance to just be a child again.

Here are five powerful stories of children our team protected, rehabilitated, and reunited with their dreams because someone reached out in time.

1. Aryan: From a Sugarcane Field to the Classroom

Twelve-year-old Aryan’s journey began in a small forest village in Jharkhand, where poverty forced his family to make the tough choice of sending him to cut sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh. But before he could begin work, he was spotted at Delhi’s Anand Vihar bus terminal by our outreach team. Scared and unsure, Aryan opened up about his journey. Our team provided immediate support and reunited him with his family after counseling them on the dangers of child labour. Today, Aryan is back home with the promise of going to school.

2. Vikram: Escaping 18-Hour Workdays

Vikram was just 13 when he was sent from rural Uttar Pradesh to Delhi to wash dishes at a roadside eatery. Driven by his father’s illness and the family’s financial needs, Vikram worked long hours with little rest. A year later, on his second trip alone to Delhi, he got lost and overwhelmed at the bus terminus—until our outreach team stepped in. After listening to his story, we ensured he was safely placed in care and reunited with his father. The family received counseling and support, and Vikram now has a real chance at education and a future away from labour.

3. Aamna: Saved Just Before It Was Too Late

Aamna lived with her family in a Delhi slum where both her parents work hard to make ends meet. Her father sold balloons and her mother collected scrap. One morning, while out playing, Aamna met an older girl who convinced her to go along to Delhi Cantt station to collect scrap for extra money. But when the girl disappeared, Aamna was left alone, frightened, and far from home. Our outreach team noticed her and stepped in. They calmed her, ensured her safety, and helped reunite her with her family. After counselling and follow-up support, Aamna is now back home, attending school, and determined to never skip a class again.

4. Arjun: A Cry for Freedom Answered

Fifteen-year-old Arjun worked long days at a hotel in Delhi, but resentment and frustration had been building. After an argument with his father, he ran away with his younger brother, Saroj. They ended up at Anand Vihar bus terminal, aimless and afraid. Our team found them, offered support, and got in touch with their parents. With help from RCI and the Child Welfare Committee, his family gained tools to better support him, and Arjun was encouraged to pursue vocational training instead of exploitative work.

5. Meena: A Short Trip That Could Have Gone Wrong

Sixteen-year-old Meena took a short job helping at a wedding outside Delhi. But when the work ended abruptly, she and her friends found themselves stranded at a railway station. Our outreach team found them at Sarai Rohilla and immediately contacted her parents. Though her situation wasn’t dire, it could have quickly turned unsafe. By reuniting her with her family and ensuring she returned home safely, we helped prevent a risky journey from turning into a tragedy.

These stories aren’t isolated incidents; they are snapshots of a broader reality for many vulnerable children across India. But with timely intervention, community engagement, and a strong safety net, we can ensure that children are protected from harm and supported in building a better life.