Suhail
Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams.
– DONOVAN BAILEY
Suhail Khan (Sonu) had been living on GB Road, Delhi’s biggest red light area, with his mother in one corner of a brothel’s balcony.
His brothel owner, Suman, always felt that Sonu is a loving and compassionate child. She decided that Sonu should study in Kat-Katha where she herself learned tailoring. And from there, began Sonu’s journey of transformation.
Sonu joined Kat-Katha School at the age of ten. Sonu never went to any school before and had no exposure to basic education. His mother was on drugs for many years but Sonu had a dream to take her out of sex trade where she was forced. Educators from Kat-Katha closely worked with Sonu and introduced him to activity based learning and values.
While studying at Kat-Katha, Sonu was actively involved in other extra-curricular activities like drama, dance, and music but he always felt a deep connection with dance. He also performed at various events and Kat-Katha looked at his special desire to learn professional dance. Dancing supported sonu as a healing practice to overcome challenges and fears he had deep within.
Sonu started to learn professional dance from Kapil Singh, professional dance teacher at Kat-Katha, with other children. He practiced day and night at Kat-Katha School while managing his studies. Kat-Katha enrolled him in Hope School for academics and focused on his holistic growth. Sonu learned acrobactics and contemporary dance form with other children.
Sonu and the two other boys from Kat-Katha formed a dance group named “The Mystical Movers” in 2017 with a vision to make GB Road a street of love through dance and encourage more children to take up dance to transform their lives. Suhail and his group performed at many professional stages. Kat-Katha’s intervention programs supported Sonu’s dreams and empowered him to acheive the same.
Sonu got professional training in Bharat Natyam Dance from Bharitya Nritya Kala Shetra under esteemed guidance of Padma Bhushan Deepa Ma’am. He won student of the year award from the academcy in 2017. The dance group “The Mystical Movers” got selected for Ashoka Youth Venture & Fellowship Program for their project in 2018. Since then, Sonu has not looked back.
Finally, this year Sonu left GB Road brothel and started living at Kat-Katha’s safe home (Maitri Meals). Sonu’s mother, Farida Didi, also took a first step towards leaving forced sex work at the same time. Not only Sonu, but the entire team of Kat-Katha witnessed the magical journey of this little boy from dark rooms to shining dreams. This year, Sonu cleared his Xth standard board exams with flying colors and is now ready embark on the journey to accomplish his dream of becoming a professional dancer.
