Radhe Kumar Thakur, a 15-year-old from Haripurwa Municipality Ward No. 8 Sarlahi, was once a boy without direction. Radhe had dropped out of school and spent his days wandering aimlessly, influenced by friends who led him astray into smoking weeds and other harmful behaviors. His future seemed bleak, his dreams non-existent. However, a few months ago, his life took a remarkable turn thanks to the USAID Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH).

Radhe recalls, “One day, I was asked to join a boys’ group formed by the USAID ARH. Initially, I was reluctant, but I joined because a close friend was also a member.” In the group’s first session, they played games to introduce themselves. The second session involved discussing their neighbors through pictures, which Radhe began to enjoy. However, it was the third session that profoundly impacted him.

“Madam gave each of us a piece of paper and asked us to write about our dreams. I struggled to put my thoughts into words,” Radhe shares. At that moment, a boy in the group mockingly said, “Your dream is to smoke now and, in the future, you will smoke too.”

Those words hit Radhe hard. “I felt deeply embarrassed and ashamed. I couldn’t write a single word on that paper,” he admits. This moment of self-reflection sparked a pivotal change in Radhe. He decided to return to school, abandon his harmful habits, and distance himself from negative influences.

Radhe took a bold step towards a better future. “I started going back to school and helping my parents with household chores. The USAID ARH made me realize my potential and the importance of having dreams and goals,” he says with a sense of pride.

Today, Radhe is a regular student at Ram Janki Madhyamik Vidyalaya, actively participating in his studies and family responsibilities. He acknowledges, “The positive change in my life is entirely due to the USAID ARH. Without this intervention, I would still be smoking and wandering aimlessly.”

Radhe’s story is a testament to the transformative power of targeted community interventions. The USAID ARH not only helped Radhe rediscover his potential but also set him on a path towards a brighter and more productive future. His journey from being lost to finding his way serves as an inspiring example of how support and guidance can change lives.