09/24/2023
Stories like the following are why Butterflies NGO's child-led programs are vital for street-connected and vulnerable children:
In 2016, at the age of nine, Abdul Nasir joined Butterflies. Since then, Abdul has been an active member of the Children’s Development Khazana (CDK). CDK was the program that attracted him the most, as he says, “Whatever little money I earned could be kept safely after joining CDK." Before becoming a member of CDK, Abdul's money was either stolen or lost in the market where he used to sleep. Through CDK, Abdul has been consistently making transactions with the limited money that he earns.
Initially, Abdul was frequently withdrawing from his savings to meet his daily needs or to help his father. His father worked as a watchman at an ATM booth, but lost his job during 2020's first wave of COVID. Sensing his father’s helplessness, Abdul chose to be an assistant in one of the motorbike repair shops.
Through CDK, Abdul began learning more about the importance of savings. Though he did not have a regular or consistent income, he was able to save 800 INR in his saving account after the first wave of the pandemic hit the country. He realized that it was important to have a saving for emergencies and uncertainties.
During the second wave of the pandemic Abdul and his father felt compelled to return to their family’s village outside of Delhi, as lockdown was imposed and they realized it would be extremely difficult to survive in the city without a regular income. In the village, they received rations from the government, but they were inadequate for a family of five. Stresses began mounting, and the family home's dilapidated roof was in dire need of repair.
Abdul, witnessing his family struggle not only for food but also for a roof over their heads, began to think about his CDK. Although he did not have too much in his savings, he was eligible for an advance. He sent an application for a welfare advance, and the advance committee readily approved it. Abdul said, “I felt good that I helped ease my family’s struggles through a CDK Advance. I borrowed Rs.1000, which was a lot of money at that point in time. Nobody else wanted to lend, as everyone feared that the money would not be returned. Moreover, no one in the village HAD money to spare. I knew that my CDK would help me.”
When Abdul obtained the advance, his father, who is not normally demonstrative, became emotional. He hugged Abdul and his eyes welled up with tears. Abdul told his father, “Once we return to Delhi, I will save more in CDK. Budgeting and saving is so important; you never know when a crisis could happen suddenly.” His father promised to save part of his earnings, however small, as he realized the wisdom of his son Abdul.
For more information about life-changing programs like CDK, visit: www.butterfliesngo.org
