Krishna Veni, live with my younger brother, Sathwik Charan, in Puppalagutta, Shiva Nagar, Warangal. Growing up, I was deeply affected by my father’s alcoholism, which left me feeling disheartened and disconnected from life. My relationship with my parents was strained, and I believed that every negative situation I faced was rooted in this difficult reality.

In 2013, I first met the DBNJ staff, who introduced me to their program supporting Street and Working Children. At first, it was difficult to accept help, but the dedicated staff spoke to me and my parents daily for a month, convincing them to allow me to join their initiative. My Mother inspires and motivates me to grow without any barriers.

Through DBNJ, I gained access to education and, for the first time in a long while, experienced the simple joys of learning and playing like a child again. At a vulnerable stage in life, many of my peers tried to lure me into destructive behaviors, promising an escape from my troubles.

But I held on to the lessons I learned at the DBNJ Bridge School — they helped me understand the impact of substance abuse by parents. This gave me the courage to speak to my father and encourage him toward change. Today, he has turned his life around and works as a caretaker for homeless people.

Excelling in Sports and Cultural Activities

Along with academics, sports and cultural activities became a major turning point in my life. I had the opportunity to:

• Represent Warangal district twice in 2022 and 2023 Kabaddi to Interstate competition in Warangal District.

• Represented Telangana State, in National Level Rugby sports in April 2024 at Pune, Maharastra.

• Showcase my talents in cultural activities, excelling in public expression and speech

One of my proudest moments was representing Warangal at the National Youth Feast in December 2024, where youth from four different countries participated. My team achieved 2nd place in Tabula, a significant milestone that reinforced my confidence and communication skills.

Higher Education and Future Aspirations

With continued support and encouragement, I am now pursuing my Graduation in Food Science and actively participating in NCC (National Cadet Corps) at my college. These experiences have further strengthened my determination to achieve my dreams.

Thanks to DBNJ Warangal and their dedicated staff, I now have a dream—to become a Food Inspector and help children who, like me, have faced vulnerability and hardship. I want to give back, just as I was given a second chance at life.