From Purple Hearts to Purpose

June 01, 2025

From Purple Hearts to Purpose

Dearest gentle reader,

(Yes, I have been rewatching Bridgerton—guilty as charged.)

Anyway, this time, I want to share something a little more personal.

It was a November afternoon, wrapped in that pleasant, cozy calm that makes everything feel softer.

I was mindlessly scrolling through TikTok--yes, TikTok--just looking for something to timepass for a while. That was when I came across a clip that stopped me mid-scroll--Seven boys standing on a UNICEF stage, speaking with sincerity and strength.

“We started LOVE MYSELF to reach young people and help improve their lives and rights,” they said.

At that point, I didn't even know their name but now they are global pop stars ---YES you guessed it right.

BTS

At that moment the sincerity in their message pulled me in.

I watched more of their videos, listened to their songs on a loop and followed their story of how they got to where they are.

These weren't just groups of seven boys promoting their song or dance trend-they partnered with the UNICEF #ENDViolence program to protect children and young people all over the world.

RM BTS leader stepped forward and spoke with quiet strength and sincerity. His words stayed with me long after the video ended:

"We have learned to love ourselves, so now I urge you to “speak yourself.” "I would like to ask all of you. What is your name? What excites you and makes your heart beat? "Tell me your story. I want to hear your voice, and I want to hear your conviction. No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, or gender identity: speak yourself. "Find your name, find your voice by speaking yourself."

Before I knew - I was in their purple world.

FAST FORWARD TO NOW 2025

BTS is making their long-awaited comeback after fulfilling their military service, and just like that, the excitement is in the air again. But this time, something is different. I am different.

(Not me following the trend that BTS took so long to come back that I completed my school, entered college and became an intern)

And as they return, so do I—but in my own way.

This year, as BTS begins a new chapter, I started one too.

One that required stepping out of my comfort zone and into purpose.

I started a remote content writing internship with Pehchaan The Street School, a non-profit organization that provides free, holistic learning to underprivileged children across Delhi and NCR.

First Day With Pehchaan The Street School

I remember sitting in front of my laptop on my first day and thinking:

“Will I be able to contribute to something this meaningful with my writing ?”

There was self-doubt. Fear. Hesitation.

But slowly—and steadily—and With guidance from my team leader (who, I must say, has the patience of a saint), I started writing. And with every word, I grew.

Like BTS’s LOVE MYSELF campaign, Pehchaan The Street School's work revolves around dignity, hope, and empowerment. Both movements believe in uplifting others while encouraging self-value.

Growth

Pehchaan The Street School started in 2015 with only ten children and five volunteers.They used to wait for students to show up to the classroom;today they are connected with the lives of 1600+ children and have expanded significantly, they have ten centres around Delhi and Delhi NCR Indraprastha Metro Station, GTB Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Noida Sector 35, Sunder Nursery, Rohini Sector 3, Rohini Sector 7, Dilshad Garden & Kamla Nagar. This organization is maintained by volunteers, over 500 active volunteers working on the ground and additionally, and a large team working online. They believe in the philosophy that “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Therefore, they offer holistic education to Pehchaan The Street School’s children to empower them and help them achieve independence.

Just like BTS once shared about their initiald days their personal struggles and of how there was period they considered to disband,Phchaan the Street School also struggled ,they were faced with countless questions: "What will you achieve?", "What impact can you possibly create?", "How can an organization run solely on volunteers?"

Today both of their journeys stand as an answer to every single doubt.

One is now a global pop band and the other is one of the reputed NGOs which has transformed more than 5000 lives by now

Just like BTS told us to "Speak yourself" this internship gave me a space to come out of my comfort and contribute to something impactful.BTS's 'LOVE MYSELF' campaign with UNICEF is based on the belief that 'true love begins with loving myself'.

Me and my articles are learning to be responsible, kind, and strong.

Transformation taking place

Many of Pehchaan The Street School students come from harsh circumstances where education is not an option,they were meant to support their families by begging, and selling on the street but here at Pehchaan The Street School they got a chance to hold a pencil and start learning as they believe that education is the basic right.

Take Nargis ,for example.A student at Pehchaan The Street School enjoys the supportive environment and finds it easier to learn English there, despite struggling with the subject. She wants to become a singer and also excel in her studies to make her parents proud.

Pehchaan The Street School goes beyond conventional studies.They provide vocational training to the children to prepare them for today's world, combining practical skills with academic knowledge.

They provide education, training and experience to underprivileged children making learning powerful.

Pehchaan The Street School is truly working tirelessly to provide pehchaan to these children.Every volunteer there works closely with the children.These ‘bhaiya’ and ‘didi’ are children’s mentors, friends, teacher, they aren’t just people teaching ABCs or 123.

They’re listeners, dreamers, protectors. They dance when the kids dance,they play with the kids, and quietly sit beside a child who just needs someone there.They help children to realize their dream and provide learning to empower them and gain independence in future.

Pehchaan finds its Pehchaan.

Recently, Pehchaan the Street School has been honoured with the “MOST PROMISING NGO in TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH STREET SCHOOLING" by IGHM India.

This award is a recognition of the dedication and compassion of the entire Pehchaan The Street School team.

Recent Highlights

1-Pehchaan The Street School recently organized a stationary donation drive for their children which was literally a sign of gratitude and brought smiles, and hope.

Link- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKHXtq3zSx-/?igsh=MXg1cDB5NTg4dXB0Mg==

2- Loads of love to @youuandyourss for sending cute charm bracelets and handcrafted floral candles to Pehchaan The Sreet School.

Link- https://www.instagram.com/p/DKHJ3V-pEyy/?igsh=dDlwbjlhdTUwdzI4

3- Also mini masterpieces sent by @divinedesignsbyasra- They have sent adorable keychains packed with color, charm and a powerful little message.

Link- https://www.instagram.com/p/DKHJcEnpVxl/?igsh=MW1rMjR1bnE3M3FqNw==

Challenges

Despite being a well-organised organisation they face real challenges like-

Lack of Funding- This is the most important need for an NGO to work successfully.

Lack Of Resources- Due to lack of funding NGOs are unable to fulfil many requirements many times.

Need for more volunteers- Pehchaan The Street School is a volunteer-driven organisation and dedicated volunteers are one of the major needs.

Inadequate infrastructure - It affects the delivery of education and limits access for children.

Ways You Can Support Pehchaan The Street School

• Volunteer -on the ground or online and contribute your time as per your availability.

• Internship -on the ground or online, one can choose from multiple positions as per interest. All

interns get a certificate after completion of the internship.

•Member-Membership is for everyone who can't commit time or can't work either online or

offline. One can also donate a certain amount and become a member of the trust.

Once in life, we all should be a part of such a great cause.

Support Through Sponsorship

Pehchaan The Street School also help in sponsoring a child and is supported by crowdfunding. The sponsorship cost ranges from ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month. This organization is bridging the gap for underprivileged children, allowing them to attain their goals.

Individual contributions cover the child’s basic educational resources, like uniforms, stationery, and books, allowing them to access quality education and achieve their dreams.

Little message

So, dearest gentle reader (yes, I’m still in my Bridgerton era), if you ever find yourself doubting your worth or wondering if your words matter—speak anyway. Love yourself enough to be heard. Your story might just change someone else’s.

Well I am still figuring out my life and have self doubts but I am doing anyway so can you.You never know where it’ll lead.

So yeah, that’s where I’m at. From casually scrolling TikTok (mentioning TikTok is so funny somehow) to actually doing something that matters (who would’ve thought lol).

Learn self-acceptance and remember you matter.

To know more about Pehchaan The Street School visit the following links-

Website-

https://pehchaanstreetschool.org/

Facebook page link :

https://www.facebook.com/PehchaanTheStreetSchoolOfficial/

Instagram page link -

https://instagram.com/pehchaanstreetschool?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=181sger2fozl7

YouTube channel -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXd4gnTazJh3JugKENt5yog

Twitter

https://twitter.com/Pehchaan_School?s=09