During the chaotic days of the COVID-19 lockdown, when the world shut its doors and silence filled the streets, a harsher silence echoed through Delhi’s slums—the silence of forgotten childhoods. Among garbage heaps and crumbling walls, children sat barefoot, hungry for food and for learning, clutching torn notebooks like lifelines. It was there that a young girl, Meena (name changed)—just eight—was seen drawing alphabets on a broken brick, gently teaching her younger brother with nothing but a stub of chalk and a heart full of hope. That fragile moment pierced through the despair. With no schools, no smartphones, and no support, these children were invisible. But Meena’s spark lit a fire. A handful of volunteers began gathering them under open skies, offering not just lessons, but love, laughter, and a lifeline. That small act of compassion became a movement. From broken bricks and borrowed hope rose the Children Unbound Foundation—born in crisis, shaped by humanity, and rooted in the belief that even in the darkest times, every child deserves light.
Since then, CUF has transformed hundreds of young lives through its holistic, community-based approach. Its flagship initiative, Chowki Mein Pathshala, brings foundational education to children of ragpickers, daily-wage labourers, and homeless families. But learning here isn’t limited to textbooks. Children gain literacy, confidence, and life skills, all in safe, joyful spaces.
Health and nutrition are central to CUF’s mission. With a sharp focus on adolescent girls and women, CUF runs preventive health campaigns, including cervical cancer screenings, menstrual hygiene workshops, and HPV vaccination drives. In partnerships with hospitals and medical volunteers, it ensures that health is not a privilege, but a right.
CUF also equips youth and women with livelihood skills—offering computer literacy, spoken English, and entrepreneurship training to help them become self-reliant and confident.
Recognizing that lasting change comes from within communities, CUF actively involves parents—especially mothers—through awareness sessions on child rights, hygiene, and education. The result is a growing web of trust, support, and local leadership.
Today, Children Unbound Foundation stands as a testament to what can emerge from crisis—if met with courage and care. Its dream is simple yet powerful: a world where every child, regardless of where they’re born, has the freedom to learn, to grow, and to shine.
