Mahesh hails from Bagalkot, Mudhol taluk in Karnataka. He is an orphan and his only relative is a maternal uncle. He dropped out of school after the 9th class. He left home and reached Bengaluru in November 2017. He survived on various odd jobs for almost three months before being rescued by BOSCO at the main bus stand in Bengaluru.

He spent a few days at the BOSCO shelter Yuvodaya and was later transferred to BOSCO Yuvakendra. After counselling, he chose to be rehabilitated through the two-wheeler mechanic training. For this, he was sent to the life skill training centre at BOSCO Sumanahalli.

Mahesh showed keen interest in learning the trade and completed the six-month course in two-wheeler mechanics. While undergoing skill training, he realised that he wanted to pursue his studies and persistently informed his counsellors and authorities at the centre about it. Considering his sustained interest, he was referred to Don Bosco Yuvakaragrama where he was directly enrolled to the 10th class at the Rural Residential High School, Ajjanahalli. He continued his studies while staying at the centre and scored 64.16% in the SSLC exam.

The entire process of rehabilitation has created a mind-set of stability in him and he now would like to resume his life with his family, continuing his education with them. His dream is to have his own two-wheeler showroom and business when he is older. Mahesh says, “Had it not been for the care, understanding and support that I received at the BOSCO institutions, I would have reached nowhere in life.”

The Don Bosco Network and its partners understand fully well that each child requires the opportunity to learn and explore the world according to his/her mind. It provides an enabling environment that protects and helps the child reach a stable, safe place in his/her journey through life.