A temple courtyard

A room in a chawl

A classroom in a municipal school

A shed at a construction site

Sunbeam centres have sprung up at unusual locations… but here’s where children shrug off premature responsibilities, and enjoy a carefree childhood. So, come rain or shine, leaking roofs or overflowing gutters, the children with scrubbed face and cheerful smiles make a beeline for that little corner called Sunbeam.

Worli, BDD Chawls

Two classrooms in the Municipal school and 7 rooms in the surrounding BDD chawls - that’s the Sunbeam centre at Worli. The children come from the lower middle class BDD Chawls. But they’ve shown a keenness to study and are regular and disciplined. They’ve begun showing good grades already.

Chandanwadi, Marine Lines

Off the streets… into the school. The children who come to the Chandanwadi centre either live on the street or in ramshackle chawls. Their parents weave flowers or work in the nearby crematorium. It was initially tough weaning them off begging and the deceptive freedom of the street, but now, they regularly attend the municipal school.

Bhuleshwar, Charni Road

Here’s another centre which operates out of a municipal school. But here’s where every street child in the area unfailingly turns up. The batch of 130 students is showing excellent results.

Bandra (East)

This centre covers the children living in the Water Pipeline Road slums. Two tiny 8 ft. by 10 ft. rented lofts and a classroom in the municipal school is all we have. But 200 children see it as no hindrance to their education.