By Ankita Sutar, Project Coordinator, Youth Unit, CYDA
Supported by Yardi Software Pvt. Limited
Suruchi (name changed), a 17-year-old girl from the Pune slum community, has been visiting Satavwadi Youth Resource Centre (YRC) since 2024. Being the youngest of the six siblings, she was raised by a strong single mother who managed the responsibilities of both educating and marrying off her children despite financial hardship. However, Suruchi’s path took a difficult turn early in life.
Poverty, pressure and trauma
The harsh realities of poverty shaped Suruchi’s early years. With a household of six children, the family often struggled to meet basic needs. Education, though cherished, became a distant dream for Suruchi after primary schooling. She was burdened with financial responsibilities and family expectations. Unlike her elder siblings, who had already settled into their roles, Suruchi felt caught in between. She was too young to handle the weight of life, yet forced to accept circumstances beyond her control.
Suruchi dropped out of school after grade 7, due to her family’s economic challenges and the conservative mindset of her community. Social pressure and lack of support made it nearly impossible for her to continue her education. At just 15, she entered into a romantic relationship that soon turned toxic. The emotional toll of the breakup was disturbing. Isolated and overwhelmed, Suruchi tried to attempt suicide twice. Her mental health deteriorated, and she felt lost and without direction.
A Turning Point – Discovering the YRC
The year 2024 marked a new chapter in Suruchi’s life. Through community outreach, she was introduced to the CYDA’s Youth Resource Centre (YRC), a space designed to empower young people like her through mentorship, life skills, and guidance. In the beginning, she was hesitant to visit YRC. Like many girls from her background, she was unsure whether such a place could really change her life. But slowly, the YRC became her second home. It was the first time she experienced an environment where she could share her thoughts without fear, buildfriendships and receive guidance on shaping her future.
Her life began to shift when she started attending sessions at the Youth Resource Centre. It was during a session on “Love and Attraction” that she found the courage to open up. She approached the CYDA facilitator and shared her story — a turning point that marked the beginning of her healing journey.
Building Confidence and Dreams
The sessions at YRC gradually changed Suruchi’s perspective. The YRC team provided her with personal support and counselling. Facilitators worked closely with her to rebuild her confidence, helping her understand her worth and the value of education and self-growth. Through one-on-one mentoring and life skills education, she slowly emerged from her emotional trauma and began to believe in her ability to shape her own future.
She attended workshops on soft skills, gender equality, reproductive health, and career awareness. These sessions provided her with knowledge and instilled confidence to speak up, ask questions, and express her ambitions.
Suruchi recalls one of the counselling sessions where she shared her fear of being married off early. For the first time, she felt heard and supported. The YRC team encouraged her to continue her education and helped her mother understand the importance of letting Suruchi focus on her personal development first. She also participated in youth group activities, which provided her with leadership exposure and helped her realise that she could inspire other young girls in her community.
Inspired and supported by the Youth Resource Centre, Suruchi decided to restart her education. She began preparing for her grade 10 exams and successfully convinced her family to support her decision. If YRC had not been there, my life would have taken a completely different turn,” she shared. Today, Suruchi is focused, strong, and determined to make something meaningful of her life.
