Mohammad Rahim was just eight when his mother made an agonising decision: to place him in a childcare institution (CCI) in Delhi. She hoped to shield him from the drugs and crime that gripped their slum in Bawana, Delhi. “My father left when I was very young, and my mother had to fend for herself,” Rahim recalls. After spending a decade in the CCI, he was thrust into adulthood at 18, without any marketable skills. “People told me I’d only get cleaning jobs, but I knew I couldn’t go back to the jhuggi-jhopdi,” he says.
Now 21, Rahim’s life tells a different story. He’s running a successful aquarium cleaning business and is pursuing paramedic and lab technician courses. He’s not just learning how to invest; he is also sending money home to support his ageing mother and sister. In fact, he’s even providing jobs to others in the same programme that helped him. Rahim is one of 175 youth whose lives have been transformed by WeLive Foundation, an aftercare facility that empowers young adults who have aged out of childcare institutions (CCIs). It offers them more than just shelter — it gives them dignity, purpose, and a path to self-reliance.
Remember the first time you stepped out of your home, unsure of which college course to pick, struggling to find that first job, or save enough to carve out a space in a new city? Adulting is tough — filled with confusion, complexity, and countless moments of self-discovery. Now, imagine navigating this transition without a family or support system, often with the added burden of emotional, physical, or even sexual trauma. This is the reality for thousands of youth who are forced to leave childcare institutions once they turn 18.
Sitting in the heart of two bustling cities, Bengaluru and Chennai, the WeLive Foundation is reshaping how we think about young adults ageing out of government care. Over the past five years, WeLive has empowered over 175 young people through its aftercare facility — not just by providing them with shelter but by equipping them with the skills and emotional resilience they need to find their footing in a world that can be unforgiving.
In a society that often overlooks these vulnerable young adults, WeLive has been making the “figuring out” phase of life a little easier for those who need it most.
Building lives, one step at a time
The story of WeLive began when one of its founders, a former CCI warden, saw firsthand the difficulties young adults faced upon leaving institutional care. “When a few of them turned 18, he took them into his home,” recalls Ramya Sundararajan, CEO of WeLive Foundation. “That experience sparked the idea for WeLive.” The foundation opened its first centre for young men in Bengaluru in December 2020, with just five residents. Today, it has expanded to three residential programmes across Bengaluru and Chennai, supporting both men and women.
At the core of WeLive’s residency programme are two pillars: well-being and work readiness Every young adult who joins WeLive’s aftercare residency programme is required to follow a structured path that combines work and education. “Each resident must have a part-time job and be enrolled in a study course,” explains Ramya. “For those who have passed their 10th grade, we prepare them to complete their 12th through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). If they’ve already matriculated, they pursue higher education in college.”
However, academic and professional development are only part of the equation. Ramya emphasises that these young adults often carry heavy emotional burdens. “Many of them have endured severe trauma, and that makes it difficult to function, let alone focus on work or studies,” she explains. This is why WeLive places equal importance on its well-being pillar, which offers counselling, psychological support, and mentorship. “We know that if a youth doesn’t feel good from within, it can be incredibly hard for them to hold down a job or excel in their studies,” Ramya notes.
Belonging to the age group of 18 to 23, these young care leavers from about 10-12 states of India are open to stay at the facility for 2-3 years until they gain some work experience, education and savings to get back on their feet.
Ramya, recalling the earlier days of the organisation, shared, “When we first started, our focus was on improving work readiness. It seemed straightforward — getting the youth into skilling and education streams, and helping them secure jobs. However, ensuring they stayed in these jobs proved to be a challenge. Many, like most of us, switch two or three jobs before settling, and guiding them through this process requires a lot of support. Once we established partnerships with skill providers and figured out how to help them stick with their jobs, things began to fall into place.’’
A culture of saving and investing
One of WeLive’s proudest achievements is the financial mindset shift among its residents. Over 50% of them are now investing in mutual funds — a rare feat even for young adults from stable backgrounds. “For many people in their late 20s starting their investment journey takes time. But here, we have 18, 19-year-olds — first-time learners from disadvantaged backgrounds — investing in SBI and ICICI mutual funds through apps like PhonePe and Groww. “Their investments range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 1 lakh, giving them the financial foundation to live independently,” says Ramya.
This culture of saving has become contagious. They now set financial goals, discussing targets like seasoned investors.
This focus on financial planning is part of the programme’s larger goal: empowering youth to become responsible decision-makers, both financially and emotionally. “They’re learning how to manage their lives, handle relationships, and navigate crises. We’re guiding them into adulthood they never had a chance to experience,” says Ramya.
“We’re not trying to delve into the specifics of their trauma or how it happened. What we focus on is recognising that trauma exists and responding with compassion. Our goal is to engage in a way that helps them take small but meaningful steps forward. We can’t undo 18 years of struggle in the short time they’re with us — that’s unrealistic. But what we can do is provide tools for better self-care and self-management, helping them build the capacity to navigate their lives more effectively,” she adds, outlining the core values of WeLive
Possessing a youthful exuberance herself, Ramya shares that her journey with WeLive began from a place of deep personal commitment. Originally an English teacher trained to work with adults, she first crossed paths with one of the NGO’s founding board members while working at Azim Premji University. “That’s how I found my way to WeLive,” she recalls. “I had always worked with young adults, and I became aware of the policy gaps in this sector. It was an issue close to my heart.”
Her background as a teacher and facilitator equipped her with the skills to help build the organisation from the ground up. “A lot of it is about thinking and theorising what you’re doing in practice. You have to find the right words, create a structure, and develop a framework for it,” she says.
Now, as CEO, Ramya is acutely aware of the challenges faced by both the sector and the CCIs from which these youths transition. “We’re constantly working to bridge the gap between what’s available and what’s needed,” she says. “It’s about much more than just providing shelter — it’s about creating opportunities for growth, healing, and independence.”
Unity through diversity
Youth find their way to WeLive through a dynamic outreach programme, explains Prithvi Shukla, programme manager at the NGO. “We’ve established a national care leavers association and work closely with district child protection officers,” he explains. “We partner with agencies and visit various CCIs, where we introduce our programme, explain its components, and demonstrate how we operate. Many of these young individuals are uncertain about their future, and the value of what we offer often resonates with CCIs. It’s not just our outreach — our alumni have begun referring friends as well, creating a growing network.”
WeLive’s reach extends across more than 10 states, including Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The programme brings together a diverse group, with youth speaking more than five different languages.
In addition to outreach, WeLive runs a specialised transition module. “We take around 50 youth, aged 16-18, on field trips to places like post offices, banks, and universities,” Prithvi shares. “This builds rapport and introduces them to life after turning 18. We’re also working to offer these experiences online.”
Recognising the importance of immediate support, WeLive has also established an interim support centre. This space provides a temporary refuge, offering youth up to two weeks of stay while they stabilise, receive their first salary, or simply get back on their feet. “It’s like a breathing space,” the administrative staff shares. “A place where they have a roof over their head until they’re ready to move forward.”
Inside WeLive: A typical day
A day at WeLive begins with a small yet significant act — preparing breakfast. For many, this simple morning routine marks their first steps toward independence, teaching them the importance of making mindful choices about nutrition and daily habits. As the day unfolds, the schedule varies depending on whether they are male or female. Most of the women work morning shifts and study at night, while the men dedicate their mornings to studying and head to work later in the day.
Weekends at WeLive are dedicated to growth beyond the classroom or workplace. English classes, sports activities, and mentoring sessions fill the schedule, offering opportunities to develop new skills and build confidence. “We’ve partnered with Durga [an NGO] for gender sensitisation programmes,” shares Prithvi. “Every Sunday, they hold sessions at our men’s centre and with the women too, covering a range of important topics — from safe sex and emotional well-being to cyberbullying and POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment).”
The bridge programme at WeLive is further enriched through collaboration with another NGO, Enfold Proactive Health Trust, where the youth engage in discussions on gender identity, sexual preferences, self-esteem, and even sensitive medical topics like abortion. These conversations are critical, particularly for young people navigating the complexities of relationships and sexual awareness.
At WeLive, no relationship is labelled as good or bad. Instead, the focus is on understanding how relationships — whether healthy or toxic — impact one’s emotional and mental well-being. “We create a safe space where they can openly talk about these things without fear of judgement,” Ramya explains. “Our goal is to help them recognise the influence their relationships have on their emotional health, and whether it’s the absence of a connection or the presence of a challenging one, it all plays a part in their growth and healing.”
‘It’s always the first job which is the hardest’
“Only about one-third of our youth are enrolled in graduate programmes. Most are still striving to complete their 10th or 12th grades, which makes entering the workforce particularly daunting. Just imagine stepping into the world at 18 without a 10th-grade qualification — so many entry-level positions become inaccessible. This leaves them vulnerable, often relegated to gig work or restaurant jobs that can lead to exploitation. Our goal is to be their safety net, providing a cushion and the right encouragement to help them build their skills and step confidently into the world.”
Ramya recalls a poignant success story: “There was a girl who joined us — extremely talented but struggling to find a job. We soon realised that something deeper was holding her back, something that had shattered her confidence and self-esteem. For six months, we worked closely with her, providing counselling and support to help her rebuild her sense of self. Today, she’s thriving in a high-paying job, and it’s heartwarming to see her soar.”
Muskan, a 20-year-old WeLive participant, shares her inspiring journey: “Growing up with a single mother, I knew I had to step up and earn my own way. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but I’ve learnt that dreams don’t come true overnight. While staying at WeLive, I secured a fundraising job that pays me Rs 22,500 a month. I invest regularly through Groww and have already saved Rs 50,000. I’m pursuing a BA in Gender Studies, and once I’ve saved enough, I’ll chase my fashion dreams.”
“More importantly, I’ve learnt to manage my anger, guide my siblings, and be a pillar of support for my family. From having no responsibilities at 18 to shouldering so many within just a year, I sometimes marvel at how much I am capable of handling!” she shares proudly.
“Every quarter, we reconnect with our alumni to assess if they need any upskilling or if new job opportunities have arisen. It’s our way of ensuring their continued growth and success, even after they’ve transitioned out of our programme. We want them to know that they’re never alone in this journey,” Ramya adds.
A foundation built on ‘CRAFT’
At the heart of WeLive’s philosophy lies a powerful acronym: CRAFT — Care, Respect, Affection, Freedom, and Trust. These guiding values shape every facet of the organisation’s mission, fostering a nurturing environment that transcends the basics of food and shelter.
“For many of these youths, this is not just their first job; it’s their first encounter with the world beyond the confines of care institutions,” explains Ramya, adding, “We serve as a safety net, a cushion that provides the gentle nudge they need to find their footing.”
Recognising that some youths may struggle to fit into traditional nine-to-five roles or feel uncertain about their next steps, WeLive has launched another initiative, WeLive Organics, to create alternative pathways to employment. Many of these young individuals face profound physical or emotional challenges that make conventional workspaces daunting. “At our Bengaluru centre, we operate an organic store where the youth can earn a living. This space not only provides them with a safe environment but also allows them to engage in meaningful activities during the day,” Ramya says.
Reflecting on her journey, she continues, “People often think those in the social sector are here to give, but the reality is that we gain far more than we give. This work deepens our understanding of ourselves — as human beings, as parents, as mentors — and expands our capacity for empathy. Our entire team has grown alongside the youth we serve.”
Looking ahead, Ramya expresses her aspirations: “We hope to eventually extend our efforts to children in conflict with the law (CCLs). We’ve had some initial engagements, but we recognise the unique challenges involved. It’s a vast area, and while we’re not quite there yet, we aim to develop a programme that supports CCLs in securing employment and managing their lives independently.”
When asked what message she would give to youth considering the programme, Ramya shares, “This programme is a bridge to independent living — it will empower you with the skills and confidence to stand on your own. But it’s not an easy bridge to cross. The journey is filled with challenges, and we want to be there beside you every step of the way. By the time you transition out, our hope is that you’ll have the means to earn a livelihood, practical experience, enhanced skills, and some savings. More importantly, you’ll have a network of people to rely on, and we want to be part of that network.”
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; Images Courtesy WeLive Foundation
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