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INTRODUCTION
The
growing number of street and working children is
a global problem — a devastating consequence of
rapid urban development, particularly in low-income
countries. Based on the definition of “children
and youth ages 18 and under who either work fulltime
or live on the city streets,” the number of street
children worldwide is estimated at 100 million.
While their geographic origin and family situations
vary, they are driven to the streets as a result
of extreme poverty and lack of a stable home environment.
Once on the street they often lose such basic rights
as adequate food, shelter, education, and protection;
and they become extremely susceptible to disease
and abuse.
In
India, the number of street and working children
may be as high as 10 million, with an estimated
500,000 living in Delhi alone. Many of these children
are migrants, arriving at Delhi railway stations
from all over the country, as well as from neighboring
countries. From a young age they work long days
performing jobs such as shoe shining, car washing
and picking through garbage, earning less than $1
per day. Once on the streets, they are off the radar
screen for government services, schools, and public
safety nets.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
Since
2000, Project Concern International/India (PCI/India)
has been improving life opportunities for street
and working children at drop-in Centers in three
communities in Delhi — in New Seemapuri, Red Fort,
and Nizamuddin Railway Station — as well as a shelter
home for boys in Harayana, to which children from
the drop-in centers who are orphaned or have special
needs are referred for long-term stay. PCI has provided
over 6,100 street and working children a continuum
of integrated services that address medical, educational,
vocational, emotional, intellectual and physical
needs. As these needs are met, the child’s ability
to take some control over his/her destiny is strengthened,
and thus a life of desperation and destitution can
be turned into one of empowerment and hope.
MAJOR COMPONENTS
Health
 PCI
India’s mobile clinic (duration 2000-2007) provides
regular healthcare to street and working children,
and also serves as an ‘entry point’ for identifying
vulnerable children and raising awareness about
street children within the communities it reaches.
The mobile health clinic provides basic health care
and specializes in treatment of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), which are known to substantially
increase the spread of HIV. Since inception, the
mobile clinic has reached more than 20,000 people,
including 12,487 children and youth. Without this
traveling medical facility, children and adults
in Old Delhi, New Seemapuri and Nizamuddin area
would not have access to health services.
In
addition, a doctor and paramedic are deployed weekly
to all intervention sites, to treat general ailments
and provide immunizations. Periodic ‘health camps
are also organized to address specific issues such
as TB, dental hygiene, and first aid; and when needed,
they provide referrals to area hospitals.
Under
the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, PCI is now supporting
16 street and working children who are living with
HIV/AIDS. PCI provides the children a comprehensive
care and treatment package that includes psycho-social,
nutritional, medical, and transportation support.
More information about this program is located under
HIV/AIDS programs.
Education
Daily
non-formal education classes are held at the drop-in
centers and shelter home, designed to provide children
with basic literacy and numeracy skills. More than
4,750 children have received non-formal education
since 2002, and as their capabilities improve, PCI
India helps them enroll in government schools. More
than 330 children have been enrolled to date.
Economic Development
For
children to sustain a life off the streets, they
must acquire marketable skills, particularly those
who are past school-age and cannot return home.
Most street and working children lack education
or any other skills – except those needed to survive.
At the shelter and at one of the drop-in centers,
PCI India runs several vocational training programs,
including greeting card production. The cards are
sold to local businesses, and the children are encouraged
to save their profits in a Savings Program. In September
2006, PCI India began marketing the cards in the
United States; more than 5,000 cards have been sold
to date. PCI India also helps older youth find apprenticeships
and employment through a job placement program.
PCI has placed 55 children over the age of 14 in
jobs and has trained 3,700 children vocational skills.
Reunification
PCI
India explores the feasibility and suitability of
family reunification if that is the will of the
child. Reunification is a complex process that involves
family tracing and assessment, counseling the family
and the child to address the issues that caused
separation, assuring that reintegration is in the
child’s best interest, and follow-up by PCI India
staff to ensure the child’s continued well being.
Since 2005, 276 children have been reunited with
their families.
Orphans & Vulnerable Children
Factsheet
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