Place Bhiwandi, Mumbai

Age 14

Due to financial hardship, his father was unable to make payments on his work vehicle (he was a driver) and his vehicle was seized. This resulted in the children dropping out of private school. Arshad’s mother does pearl beading at home earning $24 a month to meet the needs of their family.

Arshad’s mother did not want her children to be deprived of an education, so when she learned about Udaan from her neighbors, she quickly enrolled them. Arshad and 2 of his sisters attend Udaan and his older sister is enrolled in Udaan’s cosmetology school.

Arshad wants to become a pilot and one day take his family on a flight with him.