Shabana Bano studies in the 10th grade at Muslim Secondary School, Rajasthan. She is one of the 7 children of a local vegetable seller who has always prioritised his children’s education over everything. She aspires to be a police officer one day and is in awe of the women in uniforms protecting citizens. Hindi is her favourite subject in school and she loves reading prose and poetry. 

The COVID19 lockdown has been difficult for her family to fare through but the Kalandar community has received livelihood support during the pandemic. The Kalandar community was once involved in the barbaric practice of dancing bears for sustenance and survival. Wildlife SOS has worked extensively to eradicate the practice of dancing bears from the country. Additionally, these rescued bears have been rehabilitated at our rescue centers spread across the country. We have also provided sustainable alternative livelihoods to the Kalandar community. Your support could help Shabana become a police officer one day.