Place Bhiwandi, Mumbai

Age 8

Young Wali lives with his parents, and 3 brothers in Bhiwandi, India. His father is a truck driver and is only home twice a week. Wali’s mother cuts fabric for a textile company and their combined income is approximately $120.

Wali’s family didn’t want him to attend a nearby government school because of physical abuse there. So when enrollment opened at Udaan, his mother was eager to enroll him and his siblings in classes. Wali’s dream is to become a police officer and catch a thief who steals in his neighborhood. He attends classes at Udaan regularly and loves to help his friends in class.