Street Children - Children of a Lesser God

[Concerned]

Ever thought of the state Street Kids live in - prone to Hunger Cold and god knows what else. Did you ever think about the dirty urchins who come begging to you at Traffic lights and you shoo them away like they're pests. What is their fault in their fate? What can you do to alleivate their suffering ?? Any Ideas??

[MayPeaceBeUponU]

A thought that comes to mind, atleast for short term is, approach an organization like AID (http://aidindia.org/main/). They may already have programmes for homeless children. One can help them by donating money &/or time.



Free education is another that comes to mind right off the bat. But, in many cases their parents expect them to beg so they can contribute to the earnigs of the household which makes it difficult for the children to continue being in school when they could "making money" out on the streets.



Typically though many NGOs feel that giving money to children on the street is usually harmful than it does good. One should go through charitable organizations to help.

[enigma]

I have been involved with a lot of work for such children. We are blessed to be leading a sheltered life with all basic amenities. Its only when you come in contact with the reality of the outside world, you start realising that you are leading a life, so selfish.



I would pass by the traffic signals and streets looking at such children and old people, simply feeling bad about how life was treating them. Then it dawned upon me that i could do, whatever little i could, to help such people in my own limited capacity.



I made a beggining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I started by conducting free medical camps for elderly people at old age homes ( I belong to a family of doctors). Taking old age people on the streets to these homes and sponsoring their stay. Visiting these homes to make sure they were given food, medicines and taking them on an outing once in a while. Even if one individual takes up the responsibility of one such person,,we can expect a change soon.



I picked up street urchins in vizag and put them in a home called papa home.. prema samajam is another place for young school going kids where food, education and shelter is given to the young orphan kids. St joseph's old age home provides shelter to old people. One can visit these places every two weeks and monitor the conditions. Never make donations, its always better to buy stuff and hand them over personally to the inmates. Be it beds, water dispensers, clothes, toileteries, bedding, shoes. We can sponsor the child's meal for an entire year by paying 5k a year. Likewise education can be sponsored,, we can go and visit these children and know about the progress they are making.



So instead of feeling bad about the situation on the streets, make a small beginning and see the result.

[MayPeaceBeUponU]

Enigma, may God bless you.



For someone like me, donating money to the appropriate charity is more doable right now than donating time. If possible, would you please provide links to some of these establishments/organizations here so I(we) can atleast make a monetary contribution? Thanks.

[enigma]

Enigma, may God bless you.

For someone like me, donating money to the appropriate charity is more doable right now than donating time. If possible, would you please provide links to some of these establishments/organizations here so I(we) can atleast make a monetary contribution? Thanks.

MayPeaceBeUponU, God bless you too.



I would prefer reaching out to people personally and giving them stuff which is most needed, but since time is a constraint , i understand, as i face the same situation.



NOTE: PAPA is exempt from income tax under section 80(G), IT Act. It is also registered with Central Government under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, registered U/S 6(1) (a) bearing Number:010350162.





Your contributions by way of cheques, may be sent to the following address:





Public and Police Association for Street Children.

Police Barracks, Suryabagh, Visakhapatnam - 530001,

Andhra Pradesh, India.



Or directly to the :



Bank of HSBC, Suryabagh, Visakhapatnam - 530001. Bearing separate account on FCRA SB ACCOUNT NO: 061-068748-007. This bank account no. is registered with the Home Ministry, Govt. of India, under FCRA.





-----------------------------------------http://www.vizagcityonline.com/ServiceOrganisations/papahome.html



2. Prema Samajam,

Near 2Town Police Station, Dabagardens-20

Phone: 0891-2546966



- You can call them up since they dont have a website, so is the case with lot of old age homes like St Josephs Old age home in maharanipeta and a lot many in Hyderabad

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



http://www.telugupeople.org/tpf_contactus.asp



You can sponsor a child's edu



There are many such organisations ..



I am happy that people like you are there to make a difference in this world....

[MayPeaceBeUponU]

Enigma, Thank you for providing these links.

[MayPeaceBeUponU]

Enigma,



Of the two sites you sent, I particularly liked http://www.telugupeople.org b/c it is very well laid out and concise in the information it provides. It was very touching to see the faces of so many children in need of basic help. And the amounts associated with each child are not that big, especially for NRIs, which I believe there are many in this forum itself. I am hopeful that others will read this thread too and be inclined to volunteer &/or donate.



Once again, thanks for the links and the info.

[enigma]

Enigma, Thank you for providing these links.

My pleasure



I am so happy that you would be making a difference in someone's life..