Until he was 10, Dipesh Verma had never heard the sound of birds, the ring of a school bell, or his mother’s voice calling him home.

Living in the remote village of Alesur in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Dipesh’s world was a quiet one, marked by a hearing impairment that had gone undiagnosed and untreated since birth. Deaf in his left ear and with minimal hearing in the right, Dipesh had developed limited speech and spoke only to those closest to him. Strangers made him anxious. Classrooms felt isolating. His silence was not a choice, it was a consequence of exclusion.

At home, life wasn’t easy either. His father, Janak Verma, lives with a permanent physical disability after a leg surgery, taking up irregular labor work to support the family. His mother, Meena Verma, works as a daily wage laborer in the local vegetable market. Despite their hardships, they raised their three sons with love and grit.

Dipesh’s elder brother dropped out of school, despite repeated efforts by the Khushaal Bachpan team to encourage re-enrollment, he chose not to return. His younger brother, however, is in seventh grade, excels academically, and often takes on the role of Dipesh’s tutor and mentor. Dipesh, enrolled in third grade at the local government school, struggled silentlyleft behind in a classroom not equipped to accommodate his needs.

In 2023, a transformative opportunity reached Alesur. Khushaal Bachpan, implemented by Caritas India, is an integrated program dedicated to ensuring a Safe, Happy, and Dignified Childhood by strengthening families and building a nurturing ecosystem around children. The program revolves around children as the central stakeholders, fostering deep engagement with parents, communities, and essential service sectors like education and health. Its mission is clear: create an environment where every child enjoys easy access to their rights and can thrive, especially the most vulnerable.

As part of its “ABCD Roll Out” activity in the village, Khushaal Bachpan organized a community event where Dipesh’s mother and grandmother participated. That day, Dipesh was identified as a child needing urgent support. The team began consistent engagement with his family, providing academic guidance, emotional support, and, most importantly, medical referrals.

Dipesh was taken to the District Hospital, where he was seen by an ENT specialist. Shortly after, on January 20, 2025, a camp for children with disabilities was held under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan by the Vikaskhand Shiksha Adhikari at Government Primary School, Sasaholi, Tilda, Raipur. There, Dipesh’s journey took a remarkable turn.

On January 23, 2025, Dipesh was fitted with his very first hearing aid.

The moment was nothing short of magical. For the first time in his life, Dipesh could hear the world around him. His parents were trained on how to use and maintain the device. Dipesh’s eyes lit up when he confirmed, ‘yes’, he could hear.

Since then, a wave of transformation has followed. Dipesh is more responsive in school, actively listens to his teachers, and participates in learning with growing confidence. His younger brother continues to guide him with pride, and his home, once filled with unspoken words, is now alive with conversations and laughter.

Dipesh’s story is not just about a hearing device, it is about the power of inclusive action. It’s about what happens when we recognize that every child matters and deserves the tools to thrive. Through Caritas India’s Khushaal Bachpan program, inclusion became more than a concept, it became a reality.

Because when we ensure that every child is seen, heard, and valued, we’re not just restoring hope, we’re building a just and compassionate society.