More than 37,000 young boys and girls live on the streets of Mumbai although it is a known fact that there are many more, since many of them have not even registered their births. They live in conditions of extreme poverty and uncertain health conditions.
I AM BECAUSE OF YOU
International Association for the Eradication of
Poverty and Sustainable Development (2016)
The city of Mumbai has a registered population of almost 22 million people and it has been calculated that more than half live in slums without access to basic services nor to fundamental rights such as health, accommodation and education.
More than 37,000 young boys and girls live on the streets of Mumbai although it is a known fact that there are many more, since many of them have not even registered their births. They live in conditions of extreme poverty and uncertain health conditions. There are orphanages that take them in but naturally not all of them are attended to. Still, once they are in the orphanage and upon completing 18 years the youngsters have to leave them, due to which if they do not have a job by then and a place to live in, their situation once again becomes vulnerable and they probably return back to the streets.
Amin’s Library-café project aims at covering this need, by giving an employment opportunity and a home to the youngsters who come from orphanages or the streets, those who find themselves in this extremely crucial moment.
Due to government restrictions, Amin cannot set up a NGO in India. Hence, for this reason in 2014 Soy Gracias a Ti was born, with the headquarters in Madrid, the coordination and activity of the NGO is in the hands of Amin’s personal friends, who truly believe in its cause and actively support in the promotion of the project and in raising funds, even though they are 9,5000 kms away. All the funds obtained are completely directed towards Amin’s project “Bombay to Barcelona Library Café”.
As the main purpose is the promotion of the project “Bombay to Barcelona Library Café”,
promoting the happening of talks and events to spread awareness of his story to the public with the intention of getting the maximum support possible to make the Library Café sustainable in
the long run.
His story continues to touch people’s hearts and awaken consciences’ of those who are willing to open their heart and hear the testimony of a child from the streets of Bombay who had decided to transform his reality so that other children don’t live what he has lived. His motto is “If I can, you can” and his attitude before life is that of somebody who never gives up and he faces life with a steadfast determination and inspiring hope that is contagious to everyone who has the opportunity to hear him speak.
Although his life was never easy, Amin always has believed in the idea that in order to change the world, just one person is needed.
Mission, Vision and Value
MISSION
To give real opportunities of finding a decent job and to be able to find their dream in life, through the salary earned in the café and by personally accompanying and giving time to those adolescents who are under the risk of social exclusion, who come from orphanages and slums.
VISION
That the café be a place of meeting up and reflection of a new society in India, in which only “Humanity” prevails through the help of others, leaving behind the stigmas of differentiation by caste, religion, gender, etc.
At the same time, in the western society, to make one reflect over the little value that one gives to something that actually holds the most importance: a roof, a meal a day, clothes to dress one’s self up and the love of a family.
VALUE
To move consciences and express that “a different world is possible”
If we change our attitudes, starting with ourselves and thereby helping those who need it the most.
His motto of “If I can, you can” reflects the strength of his ideals, showing through his trajectory that one only needs the will in order to make a difference in the life of others.