A Life Saved – 2021

This is a story about Jeetu (social worker in Nallasopara) and the life he saved.   For anonymity, we have named the boy COURAGE.

COURAGE lost both parents shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began. His elder
brother who was taking care of him, was commuting back and forth to Pune for work. When
the first lockdown hit, he was unable to return to Mumbai. Having no other family,
COURAGE was living by himself through the lockdown.

We can only imagine what a terrible experience it was to spend months feeling lonely,
scared, and confused. Every day would have been a struggle; the simple fact of finding food
and meeting all of his basic needs at such a young age; facing such hardship so early in life.
Jeetu, one of our social-workers, would speak to him regularly and thankfully gained his full
trust. Jeetu noticed that COURAGE was becoming weaker in strength (physically), but he
also realised that his mental strength was spiralling down. Jeetu decided to make daily visits
both in the morning and in the evening and because of this, he managed to talk him out of
committing suicide before the irrevocable mistake was made.

Now COURAGE is smiling again and putting full effort into his studies. He will be registered
for Grade 10 next year.

This story is a brilliant example of the importance of social work. Jeetu’s hours of time and
energy were made innumerable by saving a life.