Street Children - Let's change their fate

Street children are everywhere... It is a growing problem in many parts of the world. We are fully aware of the many causes that lead to these innocent children ending up on the streets, subject to various types of abuse and exposed to danger to their lives.

But, who really cares about them? Despite the various schemes and projects implemented by the state and non- governmental organisations to help provide a better life for these street children and bring them back into the main-stream of life, the number of street children seems to increase daily.

If parents and guardians of these children in particular and society in general paid more attention to the fact that children need to be provided love, security and care, we will not have to deal with the problem of street children at all. Reach out and help provide a better future for these little ones who have ended up on the streets through no fault of theirs.

Today, we feature some of the views expressed by street children and also the views about street children by some students.

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They are growing in numbers

Street children are found in all parts of the country. They are faced with many problems. The number of these children has been increasing over the years, particularly in the urban areas. When we discuss the cause for these children ending up on the streets, it is evident that it is basically due to a lack of parental care and poverty.

As a number of parents are employed abroad, many children who lack attention hang around on the streets, and keep bad company. They get involved in anti-social activities. Broken families have also been a cause for the increase in street children, because children from such broken families prefer to be away from home.

Eventually, they discontinue their education and find ways to make quick money and live independently. School drop-outs due to poverty, orphans and handicapped children too add to the increasing number of street children.

These children face many serious problems. They have no education, most become malnourished, are abused and also end up as child labourers. It is reported that a number of these children have also become drug addicts.

The government and the relevant authorities have to take necessary steps to rescue these street children. It is our duty too to help save these innocent street children.

M. J. M. Jaazim Razza, Grade 9,Kalmunai Zahira College.

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Society is responsible for them

The number of the street children increases day by day. This is a tragedy in this modern, educated society. People of all walks of life should be held responsible for this sad situation. These street children are deprived of a good education, good health and a normal social life. They face an uncertain life.

Most of these children's parents are not around. Although there are many government and international schools in our country, street children don't get even a basic education.

However, parents of other children spend lavishly to educate and provide a good life for their children. The state also spends on children. Free books and free transportation is provided.

Today, tuition classes are flooded and thousands of rupees are spent on children who have adults to care for their welfare.

It's very sad to note that when a section of children are getting a luxurious life, some children are suffering on the streets. Let us pray and get together with the help of kind-hearted adults to do the best for these children of the streets.

Furkhan Noordeen, Grade 7,St. Benedict's College, Kotahena.

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Street schools could help

As street children do not receive an education, some countries have initiated schemes to educate these children through special street schools.

One country that has introduced such street schools is Bangladesh. It is said that such schools were improvised on the streets itself or in the yards of houses in the vicinity of Dhaka. The schools have been organised from 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon or 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. and the children can choose the time they like to attend school.

Many have benefited from this scheme and managed to come up in life. What we must remember is that street children are just like other children, and they too need love and care. They shouldn't be confined to the streets. They are the responsibility of society. They must be taken to established children's homes or individual homes and given the right to lead a normal, happy life, like all children.

It is a challenge to all adults in Sri Lanka.

Dushmanthi Ratnayake, Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy.