Street Children

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Street Children

Street Children is a term for children who live on the streets/pavements of a city. This also includes those children who do-not get adequate/proper parental care and who eventually became astray.

Introduction:

Street Children is a term for children who live on the streets/pavements of a city. This also includes those children who do not get adequate/proper parental care and who eventually became astray.

The causes of the phenomenon of “street children” are varied, but are often related to domestic, economic, or social disruption; including, but not limited to, poverty, breakdown of homes and/or families, political unrest, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, domestic violence, mental health problems, substance abuse, and sexual orientation or gender identity issues.

While some governments have implemented programs to deal with street children, the general solution involves placing the children into orphanages, juvenile homes, or correctional institutions. But these efforts have not borne fruitful results. Efforts have also been made by various governments to support or partner with non-governmental organizations.

View of the Street Children is not only a blemish on our society but definitely weakens the social fabric. Being responsible citizens it is our duty to create an environment where these homeless or uncared children get their rightful life of fulfillment and dignity. With this objective in view, Sewa Bharti initiated the Street Children Project in 1994.

The objective of the initiative:

The objective of this noble initiative is to assemble “astray children” and inspire them to live purposeful lives. Sewa Bharti has adopted the following initiatives to realize its objective:

• Surveys are made to identify the street children and motivate them to learn vocational skills.

• Efforts are made through various programs to generate self-respect, self-confidence and refine their habits, and eventually integrate them with their families.

• Constant contact is being maintained with their families, and a healthy change in the children has been recognized by the family members.

• Love, affection, and encouragement have become the tool for transformation in these children.

Modus Operandi:

The modus operandi is to engage these children in entertaining and purposeful activities to make them realize the value of time, labor, and dignity of the good life.

They are engaged in different entertaining activities like games, picture book reading, yoga san, freelance painting, storytelling, quizzing, etc. They are imparted moral values through music, songs, dance, patriotic songs, prayers, Gayatri Mantra, Slokas, and thoughts of the day. Gradually these children are attuned to gain literacy and primary education. After one year of coaching at the centers, these children are admitted to nearby MCD schools. A large number of them continue to attend this project

The families of these children are engaged in one or the other vocation. Thus, the children too are being provided vocational training in tuning with their family background, the making of chalk, candle, jute-making, envelope-making, tying and dying, cleaning and decoration of premises, etc. so that they could serve as an asset to their family. Presently, computer education is also being imparted to children from the 8th to 12th standard.

There has been a visible impact of this project on these children. The activities undertaken during these projects have brought in visible changes in the attitude and behavior of these children. They now have started to love other children and pay respect to elders and teachers. They also t develop reverence for cultural values and imbibe good habits. This has resulted in the children taking keen interest in cultural activities and rendering good performances in functions/festivities. Thus, there is definitely a need to expand this facet of social and developmental work.

Area of Operation:

Presently, this street children project is operational in the following areas:

• Keshav Sewa Kendra, Kalander Colony Dilshad Garden Delhi-95(Phone no.:-011-22112004)

• Lal bagh, Mansarover Park (below flyover) Delhi-92

• 6/389, Khichdipur, Delhi-91

• Basti Vikas Kendra, Chitra Vihar Kendra ,Delhi

• Maharana Pratap Sewakendra ,East Gokalpuri,Delhi-94

The efforts of the street children project have been appreciated by society. The project has been rewarded several times in the Gandhi Jayanti Mela, apart from receiving many appreciation letters. It was awarded the first prize in the year 2005, by the hon'ble chief minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dixit.

The project is running on the support of society and is not the recipient of any government grants. As we have seen how impactful this program is, and, it needs to continue if we idealize a just and healthy society. For keeping up this good work, we would require the support of prestigious company like yours, which firmly believe in contributing toward the creation of a just and equitable society, and has imbibed the values and ethics of Corporate Social Responsibility in its work culture.

Balwari and Bal Sanskar

The Balwari program has been a motivation for the people in Sewa Bastis since its inception. Along with the wide-ranging development of the children, this program has also helped in the advancement of the people in the Sewa Basti.

Kishori Vikas

Gopal Dham

Gopal Dham is one such residential school that caters to all the varied dimensions of education. Despite being responsive in imparting quality education, it prepares students to be responsible and aware citizens.