STREET CHILDREN

Hello all,

We observe many children wandering in the streets; they collect many reusable items from the trash for their earnings or beg all day long. According to statistics, the number of these children has reached almost 1.2 million in Pakistan. I think the count is higher, as we have not observed any surveys in the past many years. Approximately all of them are illiterate and homeless, due to many circumstances. Most of them are the children of homeless parents, and a lot run away from their homes, escaping from inappropriate, abusive, and violent attitudes of their parents or guardians.

How can one soft and sympathetic-hearted person oversee these barefooted children, doing work apart from the severity of the weather, whether it is hot or cold? They have no time to play; many beggars play and enjoy with each other while the traffic signal is green and start to work as it turns red. They have been deprived of all the basic needs, i.e., food, clothing, education, home, and a better future. Whenever we look into their eyes, it seems they are questioning or demanding the rights they deserve. They must have many questions on their minds but have no way to express them, and they are silent. Their silence is dangerous; it will absolutely burst out distinctly, and society has to bear the consequences.

They never protested for their rights. They never ask authorities to solve their problems. Whenever they see our children availing all the benefits and enjoying their lives, these questions surely pinch them deep in their minds;

Why can't we avail all this happiness?

Why are we living without a roof under the open sky?

 Who is responsible for our uncertain future?

Will there be any change in our miserable life?

Why don't I play with toys?

Was I born to laborious work only?

We do not have answers to these, or we are avoiding doing so. We celebrate the days and write many things about them, but practically, there are few who come forward to solve their problems. According to me, as many of us agree, they need at least basic education. Government authorities can manage it properly because they have a lot of resources and funding for this reason. But there are many complications with government machinery. They have many tactics for delays, and political hurdles are involved everywhere. So people should come forward to help such children.

These street children are financially supporting their families and cannot afford to pay the fee or give time for proper schooling. The persons or private organizations who are interested in this noble cause can help them by teaching in the evenings. They do not need a difficult syllabus to teach; all needed is to familiarize them with reading books and writing skills. Most of them are grown-up children and difficult to patronize. They are hard to handle but not impossible. There are many examples of such fake organizations that are not interested in the welfare of children. Their entire motive is just to attract funding from all over the world. That is an awful situation; we should work for such children with a true heart.

They have already been dragged into a world where they face abusive language, exploitation, and bullying by sick minds. They have lost their identity and dignity. By giving them support, we can avoid crimes, begging, child labor, and many illegal and unethical works. It is beneficial not only to those ignored children but also it will be fruitful for our society.

Education is the only solution that can help them to grow and flourish in the world. There must be many masterminds hidden among them. The world requires their abilities; do not perform this job for namesake; do it as charity, and charity begins at home. Find someone around you, look at his/her responsibilities, and make the priorities in this regard accordingly. If someone is well off, they should provide them with a loan as support for their education. Another way to prop them up is to provide the child with technical education so they can earn in a respectable way.

Best regards.