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Establishing
Your Credentials - Finding
Out Where
A little walk-about
in your city will give you a basic idea of where the children
congregate. Usually, in India, they can be found on and around the
railway station platforms, at bus stands and near busy shopping and
office areas. Go to these places, and sit for some time. You will soon
meet some street children.
Introduction
A smile goes a long
way, a funny face will also help. Most people look at street children
with disgust. Try to make the child smile back at you. Once you have
made contact with the child's mind, quietly ask his/her name. They will
probably tell you a nickname. Immediately tell them your name, and then
ask where they are from. Try to notice something about the child's
appearance that you can discuss with him/her. Especially look for some
sign of infection that needs attention. You will probably find
something. (always carry some medical aid with you) Ask them if the
infection hurts, and whether they would like it to feel better. Wash the
wound carefully at a nearby clean water source, and then disinfect and
dress it lightly. Always ask if there is any other problem they have
with their health, and then lead on to other problems. You now have
their friendship and attention.
Information
Try to find out as
much as possible about the children on the first meeting, but do not
push them too hard for information. Make sure the children understand
that you are sitting with them because you want to, and not because you
have been told to. Street children are forced to withdraw inside
themselves by circumstances. They are extremely open and frank with
their fellow peers on the street, but have developed serious problems
speaking with adults. A little childish activity or manner of speaking
with them, on your part will, in most cases, break down this barrier...
slowly. Do not expect too much on the first encounter.
Security And
Confidence
A percentage of
children will freely tell you about themselves. These are usually the
children who have not spent too much time on the streets. Those who are
more reserved have probably been on the street longer, and have had bad
experiences at home. Make sure the children feel comfortable with you.
Remember that these children have usually run away from their family and
home. The reasons behind a young child taking such a drastic step are
sometimes traumatic. You will find that the majority of street children
have been dealt a harsh hand (or even a stick or belt) at home, by
either their own parents, or by some uncle or, in many cases the
step-father. Be very affectionate and lend an attentive ear to their
stories.
Keep in mind that
they also may have done something in the home to warrant such extreme
treatment, perhaps stolen some money, sold some of the household items,
or may have missed school to go to the cinema. They may
"forget" to tell you this side. They may also exaggerate the
story to elicit your sympathy. Be sympathetic, but realistic. They are
the ones who are suffering at the moment, even if it may be their own
fault originally.
To Take or Not to
Take
It is best that the
children you contact on the streets are left to find their own way to
your "CHILD" Rescue Centre in general, except in the case of
the seriously ill. However, in the beginning you may want to escort a
few children with you to the centre, after you have met them a few
times. You will find that very few children will agree to go with you
anywhere on the first or second meeting. Do not become surprised or
demoralised by this. Expect it. If you leave them to find their own way,
when they do arrive you know that they have some desire to be cared for.
of course, there may be the odd case in which a child (usually an older
boy or two together) comes to see what can be stolen, or what free
benefits he can get, but such cases will stand out for all to see. If
you do decide to take a few children, and can convince them to come with
you, then be ready to spend a lot of time with them. If you decide to
let them come alone, then the children who first come to your centre
must be given the same attention. These will become Your
"core" children. They will steadily take up as much
responsibility as you give them, and will then go out to bring other
children to you.
Discipline
In the initial
stages, be relaxed and allow some innocent mischief. Gradually intensify
the discipline, but do it in a friendly way. Take the erring children to
one side, and, with your arm around their shoulder, explain to them
their mistakes. Ask them whether they think what they have done is good
or bad. Always make graphic comparisons between life on the streets and
life in your "CHILD" Centre. Explain each and every problem
you face with the children in full detail, and then ask them what they
feel. Always try to get a confirmation from them about what is right and
wrong. This way they are teaching themselves, under your guidance. If
the children feel safe and in a loving environment, discipline will not
be a problem. Organise a merit system, and give prizes to the best
behaved children, or those who do extra services in the Centre. Play a
lot of games with them and interact as an older brother or sister would.
Be extremely attentive to the children's health. They may not tell you
they are suffering. You must learn to recognise for yourself what is
ailing them.
"Addiction"
To Freedom
As most street
children have been without guidance, some for many years, they have
developed a mentality of survival that includes total freedom and
variety. This freedom for them, is just like the addiction of drug or
drink for an addict. The children become totally and hopelessly
"hooked" on freedom, and must be weaned away from this very
carefully. The most important feature of any programme that intends to
help them is to provide, within a single area, as many varied activities
as possible, which are all educational in nature, without seeming so.
You will
go far in the field of street child rescue if you follow only these
simple guidelines!
THE
"CHILD" SYSTEM - PHASE II
Semi-Residential Guidance Centres
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Project Suggestion
A prime plot of land,
perhaps with a ready-made building on it in the middle of the city,
about 1200 sq. yards in all, can be alloted by the Municipal
Commissioner of the city on nominal rent. Speak to your City Planner and
befriend him. Take him to your children if possible. He is the person
who will find spare plots of land land or buildings for you. In
Vijayawada city the land is near the bank of a beautiful canal,
surrounded by parks, gardens and swaying palm trees. SKCV has been
working with local Governments for many years, and, for the most part,
is convinced that something positive can be put into practice. It is up
to you to develop excellent relations with your Municipal Corporation
and local public. This is very important and needs a lot of PR work.
Feasibility
As SKCV has been
running Street & Working Child Rescue Centres for many years, the
experience and maturity of the staff, and especially the children,
stands above all. The practical design and implementation of the
"CHILD" System, has proved beyond shadow of a doubt, that
street children can be strengthened, want to be strengthened and have
been strengthened, and now strengthen other children in need. Now it is
up to you.
As "CHILD"
programmes require a very personal outlook, it is necessary to have many
individual Rescue Centres, and well trained staff in order to reach out
to the majority of children in all areas of the city, your project will
serve as the professional model for all those interested in offering
assistance to street children in your area.
The Staff
As far as possible
the staff should be selected from local citizens, who have a better
understanding of these children, because they themselves struggled for
existence in the past. For management and professional services,
qualified personnel can be appointed.
The
Facilities
As the
project will cater to the needs of up to 200 young children, facilities
should consist of:
4 Dormitories,
Classrooms, Bathrooms,
Infirmary
Kitchen, Refectory,
Recreation room
Children's Library,
TV Video Room, Hobby Room
The Time Factor
The children will be
expected to spend three months attending the "CHILD" Rescue
Centre at night. This is an agreement you should enter into with the
children. If they come every day for three months then they get the
option to move to your next phase. They should visit this project along
with your orientation Officer several times during this three months. If
they break the three months without taking leave, then three months will
again start when they return. You should keep register of the children
attending, which the children themselves sign. This will ensure that you
know who is coming regularly, and also provide data for your
"CHILD" Research centres. If possible computerise the data so
that it is easier to manage and quicker to find missing children when
their relatives come.
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Semi-Residential
Street Child Night Rescue Centres For Girls
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Background Data
A smaller percentage
of street children are young innocent girls. They sometimes have jobs
working as domestic workers, cleaners or cooks, or making matchsticks,
leaf-plates, flower garlands etc. Some of these pick rags and paper
waste which is sold to exploitative businessmen, at well below the
proper rate, but unfortunately, most just wander aimlessly in the streets
and on the railway platforms, begging, stealing, or worse, selling their
frail bodies, as they get older. Most of these, especially the youngest,
eventually come under the control of "dadas" or
"pimps", who live very well off the earnings of the young
children under their cruel hand. The young girls are kept against their
will in secret brothels, and live a life of total fear. The number of
"girl street children", especially those in the "flesh
trade", has increased dramatically over the past few years due to
the desire of older men from both India, and other countries to enjoy
sexual pleasure with young girls. Almost every major town and city in
India and other Third World countries, is recognising that the problem
is growing. In India, a large percentage of young girls disappear from
villages, to be sold by uncaring relatives to "agents" or are
lured off, with promises of good food, jobs, cinema careers etc. by
Pimps or their parents to live a miserable life of forced prostitution
in the larger cities like Bombay, Calcutta or Delhi. Many suffer untold
misery and disease, early pregnancy, abortion, and now in the age of
AIDS, what will be their fate?
The Objective
The main objective of
SKCV "CHILD" Girl Rescue Centres is to provide a secure and
healthy environment for female children who, otherwise, do not have a
home or family situation. The reasons for their homelessness are many
and varied mostly not at all their fault. A young girl needs love,
affection and security. Vulnerability to sexual abuse and expl6itation,
especially in the wild and uncontrolled world of the street, make
hundreds of young girls easy prey for rogues, and a future about which a
girl should never even have nightmares. The number of "street
girls" is comparatively small, nonetheless, must be dealt with
quickly.
As most of these
young girls have been without guidance, some for many years, they have
developed a mentality of survival that includes total freedom and
variety. The most important feature of any centre that intends to help
them is to provide, within a single area, as many varied activities as
possible, which are all educational in nature, without seeming so. The
programmes for street girls are of a different nature than those of
boys, as girls are more easy to deal with and train. The problems and
weaknesses are, however, basically the Same, therefore, the same love
and affection and caring is required.
The Replicability
In the field of
"GIRL STREET CHILD ASSISTANCE", there is a tremendous need,
throughout the world for a tried and tested system that has been seen to
actually provide the facilities and attention that these girls need. In
order to be convinced to give up their life on the street, and lead more
normal lives with a relatively good education, these girls need a
secure, confident and suitable training in a skill or trade will enable
them to support a family. They can perhaps help and train other young
girls in the future. |
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