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Studies conducted by UNICEF
and other international bodies inform that
Indian street kids go through immense suffering in their day to day life. These
street kids not only face social apathy but are exploited by criminal gangs.
Poverty and family discord often
lead them to street life.
Most of these street kids work as rag pickers. They collect unwanted gibberish
and sell them to local shop keepers who later resell them to small business
units.
These things are later recycled by business units.
However, these kids hardly earn
anything out of it. Since they stay in a group, they often pay a certain amount
to their leader.
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Exploitation:
NGOs working in child welfare sector inform that these street kids not only face
economic hardships but also sexual abuse. They live under very pathetic
conditions where they are vulnerable to health hazards. Major health studies
inform that many street kids are afflicted with AIDS and STD.
Lack of proper health education
and adverse social conditions put a negative influence on their minds.
Many of them are prone to substance use and often take to them at an early age.
Ring leaders who are hardcore criminals use these kids as conduit for their drug
operations.
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Menial jobs:
These kids often run errands for street hawkers. One may find them selling
magazines, news papers and pirated books. They also work at road side
eateries, where they attend tables or act as dish washers. NGOs:
Noted NGOs such as CRY, butterfly and SOS village often take care of such kids.
These NGOs take care of their financial and emotional needs. One can safely say,
these NGOs are trying hard to make these kids part of mainstream society.
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Help them:
NGOs run on financial support from others. You can donate a small amount to any
credible NGO with a proven track record in child welfare sector. You can also
join them as a volunteer where you can participate in specific projects.
Treat street kids with love, care
and respect . Who knows, their blessings may change your life!
Contributed By:
Ashish dimri is a practicing
wordsmith and wrote this to sensitize others. Contact him:
ashishdimri1@gmail.com
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