Mumbai Café Empowers Former Street Children

Amin Sheikh founded the Bombay to Barcelona Library Café in Mumbai, India, to offer employment and mentorship to young people who once lived on the streets. Sheikh, himself a former street child, opened the café in 2016 with proceeds from his self-published book.

The café provides discounted food and free meals to those in need and operates on a principle of equal treatment for all patrons and staff. Currently, around 15 young people work at the café as cooks, baristas, and servers, many of whom are orphans or have escaped difficult circumstances.

Sheikh prioritizes their wellbeing, providing housing and encouraging them to pursue their passions, like fashion design or music, alongside their work. Through the newly established Street Angels Foundation, Sheikh aims to expand both the café and a preschool he helped launch, continuing a decade-long effort that has supported over 130 young people.