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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. |
