Lilyma Khan had always dreamt of becoming a chef, inspired by her father’s culinary skills. In her childhood, she would watch him cook simple yet heartwarming meals for their neighborhood in Taimoor Nagar, New Delhi. However, her idyllic world shattered when she lost both her parents by the age of 5 and her sister died by suicide soon after. Her older brother’s life spiraled into depression and addiction, leading to the loss of their home. Lilyma and her younger brother found themselves homeless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Survival became their daily struggle. They would stay with kind-hearted slum dwellers who offered shelter in exchange for collecting waste from the streets in the early morning hours. Their only chance at a meal was to collect enough scrap to earn one. When her aunt took her brother away, Lilyma was left alone, scavenging for food in the dustbins of Defence Colony, New Delhi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lilyma’s life on the streets was marked by hunger and fear. She befriended three other homeless children, and together they scoured the streets for food. Their desperation led them to eat whatever they could find. As she grew older, she had to be cautious of men who made inappropriate advances. Lilyma recalls sleeping behind old mattresses in shop alleys for safety, always alert and fearful of her surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n