Abhishek Barot

Age: 13

Address: Chandra Bhaga Na Khada

Meet Abhishek. He is always smiling, very jovial and extremely friendly .He enjoys the time he spends at Manav sadhna and being a part of the Earn N’ Learn family. He considers the time spend here to be his favorite part of the day, mainly for the fun games they play, along with the opportunities it has forged for his future. His father works on a daily wage basis and his mother makes handicrafts at a small scale. He has 2 siblings, a brother and a sister. He studies in 7th standard and is fond of studies. He wants to do something big and thus join army when he grows up .He is greatly inspired by the song Vande Matram and the story of freedom struggle.

Ajay Barot

Age: 13
Address: Old Vadaj Slum

All you have to do is meet Ajay to instantly know that he is the mischievous one! But his philosophy is that he can be cheeky and up to mischief when he is young, “but when I’m old, I’ll be a good man”, he says. He is determined to be this ‘good man’ when he is older and says that he wants to be in the army, mainly to beat the bad guys, of course. He is one of 4 children and he lives in a slum with his Parents. His mother works as a cleaner and his father is unemployed. His mother’s income alone is not enough to support the whole family and this is why Ajay is part of the Earn N’ Learn Program. He attends a local Municipal School and tries to study as best as he can. But Earn N’ Learn is his favorite part of the day and he says that this is because at Earn n Learn they teach him everything!! He learns craft, gets extra tuition, and he is also taught the principles of life and how to be a good person. He really enjoys making the crafts and loves to be creative, and when he “feels like” he starts to draw.

Ajay Bilocha

Age: 15
Address: Ram Pir No Teckro, Slum

Ajay is one of 3 children in his family, and they live in a small slum dwelling with their Parents. His father works at the Petrol Pump and his mother is a cook for the local Pre-schools in the city. His favorite part of the day is split between going to School and coming to Earn N’ Learn, both of which he loves. He has been part of Earn N’ Learn for over 4 years and enjoys the extra tuition that he gets there. He is attending a local High School and is in his senior years. He has aspirations of studying further and maybe one day becoming a doctor. He is a fun loving child who likes to play cricket and play-fight with his friends, otherwise you would probably find him just hanging out with his friends, chatting and joking around.

Akash Bilocha

Age: 14
Address: Ram Pir No Tekro, Slum

Akash is a very quiet kid who likes playing cricket a lot. He studies in 9th standard in the local municipal school and has been a part of the Earn N’ Learn for more than 3 yrs now. He has two other siblings, both brothers. His father works at a petrol pump and his mother is a housewife. He tries to study as best as he can. Earn N’ Learn is his favorite part of the day and he says that this is because here they teach him everything!! He learns craft, gets extra tuition, and he is also taught the principles of life and how to be a good person. He wants to be a cricketer when he grows up and his favorite cricketer is Dhoni.

Aman Vishwakarma

Age: 9
Address: Dandipour Slum.

Aman is new to Earn N’ Learn, but it is fast becoming his favorite part of the day. He is already very comfortable in the program and enjoys it because so many of his friends are there. Aman’s 2 older siblings Rohini and Bipin are part of the Earn N’ Learn family too and he is so happy to finally be able to come along with them. His family lives in a small slum dwelling, not far from Manav Sadhna, and he is often found playing around the Gandhi Ashram. His mother is employed as a Clothing Tailor and his father works in Carpentry. Aman attends a local government school and is in the 3rd standard. He enjoys most of his activities at school, especially reading. However nothing beats his love for playing games and having fun! He doesn’t care what games he plays, as long as he gets to have fun and be cheeky. When he grows up her wants to be a Police Officer; his desire is to ‘get all the bad guys’.

Ashwin Ravat

Age: 15
Address: Ram Pir No Teckro, Slum

Meet Ashwin. He is a type of friendly child who will come and say ‘Hello’ several times in one-day. He comes to Earn N’ Learn with his younger sister and they both enjoy the time spent here a lot. Ashwin considers it to be his favorite part of every day, mainly for the fun games they play, along with the opportunities it has forged for his future. His mother works for Gramshree and his father is a ‘Choutuk’ (a kind of Handyman, when there is work available). Ashwin attends the school in Gandhi Ashram, where his favorite subjects are English and Maths. He is a very quick learner and wants to do Business when he is older. For now, though, Ashwin is happy to watch movies, play Frisbee and hang out with his friends, with the occasional game of Cricket (which he loves to play).

Bhavesh Acharya

Age: 13
Address: Parikshit Nagar

Meet Bhavesh. He is always smiling and has a great desire to learn English and Maths.He enjoys his Earn N’ Learn a lot and is loved by his close friends here. He considers the time spend here to be his favorite part of the day, mainly for the fun games they play, along with the opportunities it has forged for his future. His father works as a tailor.Bhavesh is in the 6th standard and is fond of studies. He wants to become an eye specialist because his own vision is not perfect and therefore wants to treat others with the same defect.

Bipin Vishwakarma

Age: 14
Address: Dandipour, off Ashram Road.

Bipin is one of the 3 children, living in a slum dwelling with his Mother and Father. His mother does some work as a Clothing Tailor and his father works in Carpentry, neither job provides a strong income and this is one of the reasons that all 3 of their children are in the Earn N’ Learn Program. Bipin now attends a local government school and is in the 7th grade. He values his time at school, but enjoys his time at Manav Sadhna best. He likes everything he gets to do there, especially the tuition, because he really wants to do well at school and the extra learning helps him achieve his best. He wants to be in the Military when he is older, but for now he is happy playing around with his friends, his favorite game being Cricket.

Chirag Barot

Age: 10
Address: Old Vadaj Slum

Chirag is a very hard working member of the Earn N Learn family. He is often seen sitting peacefully, working away on whatever is in front of him, but whenever he gets time, he is off playing cricket with his friends! His mother is a housewife and his father is a ‘Choutuk’ [a handyman when there is work available]. Chirag and his 3 older siblings are all part of the Earn N’ Learn program. He’s in grade 6 at a local Government School and everyday he looks forward to finishing school and playing “it” [tip] and dodgeball with his friends. Still, these games are nothing compared to his “favorite time of the day”, which is whenever he gets to play cricket. So far he thinks that he might like to be a Police Officer when he grows up because he, like most boys, wants to “get the bad guys”.

Daksha Ravat

Age: 13
Address: Bharistad Naga Slum

Daksha wants to be a Teacher when she grows up, so that she can look after little children. She tells us that her favorite things in life are to learn and help people. She is a very lovely girl who does a lot of work around her home to help her mother. Her mother works as a cleaner in a Bungalow and her father works as a ‘Choutuk’ (a handyman, when there is work available) and on their incomes alone it is not enough to send all their children to school. This is why Daksha and two of her sisters are part of the Earn N’ Learn program, and this involvement helps to support their family and broaden the opportunities available to them. Daksha attends a local high school and loves her studies, which she spends a lot of energy on each day. For fun she likes to sing and dance with her sisters. Although she doesn’t really like to “play”, she does love to hang out with her friends, chatting and talking about anything they can think of!

Dharmishtha Ravat

Age: 12
Address: Parikshit Nagar

Dharmishtha is a gorgeous thing with a quick working giggle and a fast smile. She is in a family of 2 boys and 3 girls, living in a small slum dwelling, and comes to Earn N’ Learn with her 2 sisters. Her mother works as a cleaner in a Bungalow and her father works as a ‘Choutuk’ (handyman) when there is work available. She attends the School in Gandhi Ashram and looks forward to be a part of Earn N’ Learn after school everyday. It is her favorite place to come because she feels that she gets to do EVERYTHING there! She gets to make crafts, do tuition, take computer classes and hang out with her friends, all whilst having fun! She enjoys watching movies and sometimes likes to play games, but what she likes best is sitting down with her friends and chatting together. She helps her mom with the housework when she gets home everyday and says that she wants to be a Doctor when she is older, simply because she wants to fix people.

Ganesh Bharaiya

Age: 14
Address: Shapur Slum

Ganesh is such an inspiring boy who has an incredibly gentle and loving nature. He invited us into his home and while we were waiting for his parents to arrive he insisted on making us tea. He has been part of the Earn N’ Learn project for the past few years and he considers his time there to be his favorite part of the day! He loves it because he gets to do so many different things there, learning, craft, playing, prayer, and he gets to sing while he does it all! Singing is his favorite thing and he hopes to be a professional Singer when he is older. Both of his parents work as cleaners and Ganesh is the second of 5 children, all boys. He used to work as a boot polisher on the street side until one day Jagat-bhai met him, had his shoes shined, and invited him to be a part of the Earn N Learn family. Now, Ganesh’s shoe shining days are over.

Guddi Barot

Age: 12
Address: Old Vadaj Slum.

Guddi is full of giggles and is always trying to get a smile out of someone. She began seeming to be quite shy, but is now full of confidence and constantly playing around. She comes from a close-knit family with 3 other siblings. Her father works as a ‘Choutuk’ (a handyman, when there is work available) and this income is not generous or consistent, so all 4 children are now part of the Earn N’ Learn family. Guddi is in the 7th grade at a local Government School and is a very good student. She says that they have strict parents so there is not much playing, but plenty of time for study. She and her sister like to dance together, and she says that instead of playing they fight, like most loving sisters do... Guddi’s favorite time of the day is her time at Earn N’ Learn! She likes it because they get to do everything there- work, play, study, prayer, tuition, and she gets to hang out with friends! Sounds perfect to us :)

Harshad Parmar

Age: 16
Address: Vadaj, Ram Pir No Teckro, Slum.

Harshad Parmar is a very focused boy, and he knows whatt he wants from life. He has a younger brother, who accompanies him to Earn N’ Learn. They live in a small slum dwelling with their mother and father. Their mother works for Manav Sadhna as a cook for the local Preschools around the city, and their father is a Watch-man for a local University. Harshad attends a nearby High School and is in the 10th standard, where his favorite subject is Science. His favorite parts of the day are School and Tuition class and he says that he does his homework to relax, showing us just how much he values and loves his education. Harshad hasn’t yet thought about what he wants to do when he grows up, but he knows that he wants to go to a University. He has been part of Earn N’ Learn for 4 years and Card Making is his favorite activity there. He loves Earn N’ Learn and is happy and grateful for the positive impact it has had and will have on his future.

Hetal Barot

Age: 14
Address: Old Vadaj Slum

“I want people to know that if you study hard, and work hard, then you can be something!”
This is Hetal, she is a passionate young lady and freely offers her thoughts to us.She says that she wants the world to know that girls can also do what boys can . She wants to be a Professional Singer when she grows up and wants this mostly so that she can help support her family and make them proud. She sits like a lady and tells us that she doesn’t really go out to play, but sometimes has fun with her brothers and sister around the house. Her father works as a ‘Choutuk’ (a handyman, when there is work available) and her mother is a housewife, and their income is anything but reliable. She and her 3 brothers and sisters live with their Parents in a small slum dwelling and, with thanks to their involvement in Earn N’ Learn, Hetal attends a Local Private High school where she works determinedly on her studies. She is the most confident of her family members, singing and dancing around the place almost constantly. She loves to come to Manav Sadhna each day and says it’s because Earn N’ Learn offers her everything, an opportunity to work to support her family, a time to play with her friends and a time to learn craft making and get some extra tuition.

Hina Makhwana

Age: 10
Address: Parikshit Nagar Slum

Hina is a sweet girl who is simple natured and fun loving. She lives in the slum with her Mother and Father, with 2 brothers and 1 sister. Her Father works as a ‘Choutuk’ (a handyman, when there is work available) and her Mother stays at home cleaning, cooking and preparing for her family. Everyday Hina looks forward to go home and help her mom around the house, and once this is done she goes out to play with her friends. They play games like Kho-Kho and Ram-Sham-Ravin, and she says that they sometimes play for hours! Hina says that her time at Earn N Learn is her favorite part of the day. She loves it because of the opportunities it brings her and the fact that she gets to work and learn with all of her friends. She goes to School in the Gandhi Ashram and works very hard on her studies. Hina really enjoys helping her friends and this is one of the many reasons for her aspiring to be a Doctor when she grows up.

Jay Makhwana

Age: 12
Address: Subash Bridge

Jay Makwana comes from a small family, with only 1 sister. His mother works as a tailor and his father works in a Khadi Store, as Shopkeeper. He goes to school in the Gandhi Ashram and, although he enjoys School quite a lot, his favorite time of the day is whenever he gets to play! He likes to play Cricket and Ball Games and spending time with his friends. He wants to be a Pharmacist when he is older, so that he can help people when they are sick. Jay is a very caring son and helps his mom with the house work whenever he can. He says that if his family needs anything then he will go and get it, whatever it may take. He wants to tell the world about how good-natured and loving the people in India are, and he says that you should come and visit him in India and he will invite you over for some Chai(Tea).

Jyotsana Ravat

Age: 11
Address:Parikshit nagar

Jyotsana is a surprise package. She’s a tiny little thing who seems to be quite shy and careful; however it is she that leads most of the mischief at Earn N’ Learn. And although she is small, she is still the Leader Of The Pack. Jyotsana is one of the 5 children, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and they live in a small slum dwelling with their Parents. Her Mother works as a cleaner in a nearby home and her Father is a ‘Choutuk’ (handyman) when there is work available. Neither of the jobs provides a strong enough income to support a family of their size, and this is why Jyotsana and her 2 sisters are part of Earn N’ Learn. Their involvement helps and supports their family, whilst also brightening their own future with broader opportunities. Jyotsana attends school in the Gandhi Ashram and tries very hard to keep up with her studies. She likes to dance and play games like Tip and Kho- Kho with her friends. She likes just about everything, but her favorite time of the day is being at Earn N’ Learn, she says she likes it “because it’s fun!!!!”.

Kajal Gautam

Age: 12
Address: Dandipour, off Ashram Road

Meet Kajal, she is a natural born leader and has a lot of her friends looking up to her for guidance. Around younger children she can be a bit of a bossy boots and knows how to “mess around” and make fun. But as soon as you get her into her home she is a perfect lady, tidying the house, folding the washing, offering you tea and biscuits, and making sure that you’re looked after. She is mature beyond her age, and has a LOT of character. She lives with her family in a small slum dwelling and she attends Earn N’ Learn with 2 of her brothers. Her mother works for Gramshree [an organization with close ties to Manav Sadhna] and her father is a Painter. With the help of Earn N’ Learn she now attends a local Government School and loves having the opportunity to learn and study. She hasn’t yet thought about what she wants to do when she is grows up, but has plenty of time to in the future. For now she is happy to enjoy her favorite things, which include drinking Ice-cold Water, eating Samosa’s, helping her mom with the housework, singing and playing with friends.

Kalpesh Barot

Age: 18
Address: Old Vadaj Slum

Kaplesh is the eldest in his family. His father works as ‘chotuk’ (a handyman when work is available), which can prove to be an unreliable income at times; therefore Kalpesh has stepped up to take on household responsibility. His Mother is a housewife and Kalpesh helps around the house in any way he can. He and his 3 other siblings are all a part of the Earn N’ Learn project, and this helps support their family. He attends a Municipal High School, which is a half hour walk away, but he doesn’t mind the distance. He is just happy to have the chance to study. Regardless of how much he may like school, he is always very eager for the vacation time to begin. After a hard day of work and school, Kaplesh rewards himself by hanging out and chatting with his friends. He is always playing cricket and would love to be a professional cricketer when he gets older. He is a hard working boy aware of his responsibilities and always tries his best to fulfill them.

Kanchan Gautam

Age: 12
Address: Near Mahadev Revarivas.

Kanchan is a confident, smart girl who wants to do big in life. She comes from a close-knit family with 3 other siblings. Her father works as a painter and mother engages herself in bharat kaam (kadai). Kanchan is in the 7th grade at a local Government School and is a very good student. Her favorite time of the day is her time at Earn N’ Learn! She likes it because they get to do everything there- work, play, study, prayer, tuition, and she gets to hang out with friends. When she grows up she wants to be a doctor and help those in need.

Mahesh Merani

Age: 14
Address: Parikshit nagar Slum

Mahesh is new at Manav Sadhna but is already enjoying the time he spends with the Earn N’ Learn group. He considers his time here to be his favorite part of the day! He loves it because he gets to do so many different things there, learning, craft, playing, and prayer. At home he plays with his sister and brother. His father works at the petrol and his mother is a house wife who sometimes weaves cotton to earn some money. Mahesh wants to be a police officer when he grows up the reason of which he himself doesn’t know.

Manish Varmar

Age: 9
Address: Dandipour Slum.

Manish is one of the 3 children in his family, all of which are part of the Earn N’ Learn project. He comes along with his two older sisters and loves the time he spends here! It is the best part of his day, mainly because all of his friends are there to help and enjoy with him. Manish lives in a small slum dwelling with his 2 sisters and his parents. His mother is a house wife and his Father is employed in Iron-Construction. Manish helps his mother around the home by sweeping and cleaning up himself. But because his sisters do most of the work which leaves him with some time to play! For fun he likes to play “It” and “Hide N Seek”, which is his favorite game. Manish attends a local government school and is in the 6th standard. He enjoys his time there and his favorite activity at school is Writing. He is not sure what he wants to do when he grows up, but knows that he would like to help those in need.