India, March 24 -- Shanti was just five years old when she first came to our house, hiding behind her mother, who would help keep our house clean. She then started accompanying her mother to our house every day. She would quietly sit in one corner and play with a broken doll. She would be very happy to eat anything that my mom gave her and in return would coyly smile.

Gradually, they became like a family to us and would take care of the household chores when mom and dad went to the office. One day, mom asked if Shanti was interested in studies, and she nodded.

That was just the beginning

Mom started taking out time to teach her every day and when she grew up a little, she helped her get admission to a nearby school. Shanti's mother was...