This programme aims at building a capacity of volunteers in the community which can prevent children from going to the streets. The programme also has three centres for the rehabilitation of street children and rescue of children in need of care and protection. After rehabilitation, these children are re-integrated back into the community, either with their parents, other relatives, foster parents or host families.

Major activities:

• Training and supervision of community volunteers who identify, guide and counsel families and their children in need of special care and protection.

• Training and guidance of primary school teachers who counsel children in their schools and address their specific needs.

• Street work with the help of trained volunteers to address immediate needs of street children and motivate them to undergo rehabilitation.

• Rehabilitation of street children through admission in centres and subsequent reintegration back in the community with parents, relatives, foster parents or host families.

• Rescue of children from abusive circumstances through admission in centres and helping them to overcome the trauma. Provision of legal assistance where required and re-integration in the community.

• Economic empowerment of parents through small enterprise development and provision of micro-credit.

(case study-)The story of Peter

Peter ran away to the streets because his mother was an alcoholic, who survived through illegal practices. A volunteer from the street programme befriended Peter and facilitated his rehabilitation process in the St Martin’s Boys Centre. After rehabilitation a foster family was identified in the community, where Peter found a new and loving home. Peter is now back in school and doing very well. A volunteer teacher in the school keeps a close eye on his progress and well being. Meanwhile the mother recieves guidance and counseling from the programme.