Street children, who are they?

Children who live all or most of their lives on the streets. Most have no adult support or care whatsoever. Most are aged between 10 and 15 but many are as young as 6. The average age for children coming to SKCV has dropped markedly in recent years.

Why are they on the streets?

They are children who have run away from home or been forcibly thrown out. The causes for this are mainly conflicts with parents, broken homes, abuse and neglect. Some are attracted to the bright lights and promises of cities, while others were too young when they started living on the streets to know why they are there. Some children find they have no place at home when a parent remarries, while others might want to ease the burden on the family when one parent dies. One factor is always present, poverty.

Where do they live and eat?

Having run away from an intolerable environment, they are forced to live on the pavements, under bridges or make-shift shelters. They eat from dustbins or obtain food by begging or stealing.

What do they do?

They survive by becoming rag pickers, helping out in small teashops, shining shoes, running errands or doing or other odd jobs. None of the street children attend school, few have good health and they have no future prospects. Many die an anonymous death.

Where are they found?

One sees them every day in India; at bazaars, railway stations and bus stops, they survive alone and ignored; shunned by society as if they do not exist. Most will eventually grow up to be social misfits and criminal elements created by an uncaring society, or just die in a filthy

What do they really lack?

Somehow they manage to get food, shelter and clothes by begging, borrowing, stealing. Many, especially girls, will sell their frail bodies. What they can not obtain is love, affection and security. When these needs are provided their problems are almost solved, and they quickly begin to act like the normal children they really are. Sadly many have long term health and emotional problems.

Is there any help available for them?

Indian society tries to be caring but simply can not cope with all the demands of a developing country that is racked with poverty. Street children are the poorest of the poor and as such there is almost no state provision. Charities such as SKCV serve a vital role in providing care and support for these children, enabling them to reclaim their childhood and look to the future with confidence and hope.