Hyderabad: Despite facing tragic beginnings, several children from the Touch Foundation orphanage in Hyderabad have displayed remarkable resilience by venturing into entrepreneurship. R Poojitha, just 14 years old, has already started her own business, RMP Flowers, where she creates and sells bouquets made from exotic flowers and herbs. After the tragic loss of her mother and disabled sister, Poojitha was sent to the orphanage in 2020. Initially, she struggled with anger and sadness, but her entrepreneurial journey has helped her regain confidence. “I am happy and confident that I can stand on my own feet,” she shared.
Poojitha’s story is just one of several inspiring tales from the orphanage. Through a partnership with the Young Tinker Foundation, the children are given seed money of Rs 1,000 to turn their ideas into products. The foundation also set up Young Tinker Space at the orphanage to foster their ventures. Poojitha, with support from friends, now runs her venture making bouquets from the garden of the orphanage.
Other children, like S Yashaswi, have also launched businesses, such as RDY Framers Company, which creates photo frames from reused materials. Yashaswi, who lost her parents to COVID-19, sold her first set of handmade frames at the International Startup Festival 2024 in Hyderabad, boosting her confidence. “Now, I want to do well in life and take care of my brother and sister,” she said.
Md Mahabub, another orphan, is pursuing a vocational course and plans to sell eco-friendly shampoo made from soap nut trees near the orphanage. He hopes to collaborate with local shops for the product’s sale.
These young entrepreneurs are not just surviving their challenges—they are thriving, driven by the hope of building a better future for themselves and their families.
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