Once A Child Labourer, Devendra Now Wants To Help Young Boys In Delhi Slums Lead A Better Life

Devendra’s life has been fraught with struggle and hard work. He was born in a high-crime-prone area of the Delhi slums. He was abandoned by his parents at the tender age of 2 and had an infant sister to look after. At the age of 8, he started working as a child laborer by selling balloons and working as a helper in a doctor’s clinic for a meager salary. He was also continuing his studies in a charitable school all this while. 

“I was selling balloons that day like every other day when a group of young boys attacked me. These boys were a little older to me but I could understand that they were substance addicts. This experience stayed with me and I knew I wanted to do something for these boys who have been led astray due to circumstances,” - Devendra Kumar, Founder, Ladli Foundation Trust. 

In 2010 his struggle with dowry during his sister's marriage led him to found Ladli Foundation Trust.

Devendra’s fight against substance abuse - the Josh initiative 

Abuse to substances and substance abuse is one of India's most significant social evils. It affects the youth, who are considered the future of our nation. 

Devendra, a social reformer noted for his diverse approach to empowering the oppressed and disadvantaged has received accolades and recognitions in India and the United Nations has made notable contributions in this arena. His organization, Ladli Foundation, has started with the initiative called Josh that aims at diverting young boys & juveniles from substance abuse by involving them in sports, skill development & gender sensitization in the slums of Delhi. This program is being run in association with Delhi police where even senior IPS officers come and play with these boys to motivate them to become an asset to society.

The project runs on the M.D.I. formula of psychological counseling, i.e. Motivate, Divert and Involve individuals into activities that are psychologically, physically, and socially productive.  

“These boys are given a nutritious diet and are given 90 days of physical training and grooming. After that, we enroll them in skill training & employment opportunities for their socio-economic development. Currently, 1000 Boys aged 16 to 20 are benefiting from this program. We wish to build a force of young minds who can rise above their circumstances and build a life beneficial for themselves and society.” - Devendra. 

You can support Devendra’s efforts to make a difference 

Devendra now needs your support to give the best of the amenities to these boys who have had a difficult life. He wants them to lead a good life - one with respect and happiness. For that, he would need your help. 

You can donate t-shirts, shorts, shoes, tracksuits for trainers, sports equipment, volleyball, cricket kit, football kit, protein food kit, and help them lead a better life. With your support, Devendra and Ladli Foundation will bring about a significant change in the lives of all those who have to tread the wrong path under peer pressure. Every contribution will make a huge difference.

About the NGO: Founded by Devendra Kumar, Ladli Foundation is an internationally recognized non-profit organization. It is known for its innovative action research initiatives and effective community outreach at the grassroots level. Foundation is also listed by the Niti Aayog - The highest policy-making body of the Government of India. Driven by concerns of gender equality as an integral and critical dimension of human rights, Ladli Foundation became a reality in 2012 for working as a grassroots social catalyst.