A Dehli police officer who managed to crawl his way out of the city slums as a child is now giving back to poor children who live the lifestyle of skipping school and working odd jobs.

With his free school, when class is in session in the parking lot of the famous Red Fort, Than Singh helps kids who've missed school catch up to their age bracket so they can be at the same level as their peers.

Born in Rajasthan's Bharatpur, Singh grew up with two siblings on the streets of New Delhi, where he would sell corn and his father would iron clothes. But despite this day-to-day existence, Singh never forgot the importance of school.

His father wanted to be a police officer, but the weight of supporting the family never allowed him to properly prepare himself. Eventually though, Singh followed in his father's footsteps, stayed in school, and passed the examination for the Delhi Police.

Going back to police the streets on which he was raised, Singh began to feel something had to be done to help children like him who had to work instead of study. He then started a one-of-a-kind school called Than Singh Ki Pathshala.

"I volunteered to teach these kids so that they are able to come a little par to their peers. For this, I started meeting the parents. Police are the only segment that go to people irrespective of their socio-economic status and get to understand their problems," Constable Singh told The Better India. "After meeting their parents, I convinced them to not worry about kids and send them to our pathshala."

He teaches 80 children aged 3 to 15 outside of the Red Fort from neighborhoods like Raj Ghat, Vijay Ghat, and Shantivan. Local battery-rickshaw drivers have volunteered to bring the children home from the school every day.

He gets everything through donations: books, lunches, uniforms, and other supplies.

"I want to give these children a good atmosphere because their parents go to work and there is a chance that they could wander on streets. This is why we continue to teach them after school. Also, when other children got to know that they can get admission after studying with us, more and more kids started coming," said Singh.

Last year, 70 of Singh's students were able to enroll in proper government schools, 10 of whom achieved the highest exam scores in their class.

"There is no other peace than working for these children. I could be the reason towards bringing a change in their lives with just a little support. What could have been better than this for me?" said Singh.

These image was originally published by The Better India. The Better India is the world's largest solutions-based content-driven impact platform that uses the power of digital media and positive storytelling to showcase the journey of India's most inspiring individuals and institutions. Visit www.thebetterindia.com to learn more.

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