Eighteen Million Question Marks

This is a publication developed by NVIS International Ministries, Inc. which is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit, International, women and child-focused, Christian relief and development ministry with the heart and passion to make a difference in many young lives with the love of Christ. We have two primary goals-  

1. To train today’s children to become tomorrow’s leaders by providing Christian education to children around the world and to train parents to raise their children in a Christian atmosphere.
2. To remove disadvantage children and women off the streets by providing them with basic necessities, such examples would be a quality education, clothing, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and water to drink. Not only would those needs be met, but they would also have an opportunity to learn about Christ and in return give back to their communities.
3. To give women and children practical, hands-on, teaching and experience so they can not just be book smart but “street-smart.”

We believe Today’s Youth are Tomorrow’s Leaders!

     It’s hard to put a number on how many street children, who are often referred to as ‘Slumdogs’, that run on India’s streets each day. The primary reason for this is that it is difficult to obtain accurate data about them because of their floating character. Street children usually have no proof of identification and move often. Of the 50,000 people in India that are officially reported as leaving home annually, 45 percent are under the age of 16; this number, though, is likely very low. Recent studies show that the estimated number of street children currently on the streets each day is between 18 to 20 million.

     These children can be found in railway stations, near temples and durgahs, in markets, under bridges, near bus stations and stops, etc. Hence the definition of a street is not in the literal sense but refers to those children without a stable home or shelter. There are three major categories of street children:

1. Children who live on the street with their families also often work on the street. There may be children from migrated families, or temporarily migrated and are likely to go back to their homes.
2. Children who live on the street by themselves or in groups and have remote access or contact with their families in the villages. Some children travel to the cities for periods of time to work and then return to their villages.
3. Children who have no ties to their families such as orphans, refugees, and runaways.

     According to UNICEF street children fall under two categories: on the street and of the street. “Children of the street” are homeless children who live and sleep on the streets in urban areas. They are on their own and do not have any parental supervision or care though some do live with other homeless adults. “Children on the street” earn a livelihood from street such as street urchins and beggars. They return home at night and have contact with their families. The distinction is an important one because children of the street lack emotional and psychological support of a family.

     It is the second and third category of children who are most vulnerable as they are easy victims of abuse, and inhuman treatment. They often engaged in petty theft or prostitution for economic survival. Children runaway from their homes for a variety of reasons. Some may have faced traumatic experiences in their homes. Their parents may be abusive or have problems with alcoholism, poverty and unemployment. Some children leave home drawn by the glamour of the big cities.

     Street children vary across cities and regions. But a majority of these children are boys. It is also important to note girl street children are often not found visible spaces and hence hard to trace. Age wise 40% of the street children are between 11-15 years another 33% are between 6-10 years age group. A study found that majority of children live on the street with their parents/families.

     There are a number of factors that lead children to living on the streets. One root cause that has been identified is poverty. But poverty alone does not result in this problem. Other factors to be taken into consideration is the expansion and growth of cities, over-population, family disintegration, inadequacy of formal school institutions leading to large numbers of dropouts and failures, inability or institutions to deal with these problems, etc.

     Street children mostly live in open air spaces. There are few to no shelters available in the cities for homeless children. Some may live in a temporarily constructed hut or the house of their employer. The majority of street children work. Almost 50% of street children are self-employed as rag-pickers, hawkers, and shoeshine boys, while others work in shops and establishments. Their work hours range between 10-13 hours a day. These children are exposed to high health hazards such as population and unhygienic conditions of living. Having no shelter, they are constantly exposed to environmental conditions of heat, cold, and rain.

     Many street children also face harassment by municipal authorities and police. One-third of street children complain of persecution by such authorities. Street children also face abuse from their family members, employers, and other people. The right to play of a street child is almost nonexistent as they do not have access to recreational facilities and often venture into activities available to them on the street such as drug abuse, gambling, drinking, etc.

     MWCD reported in 2020 that 65.0% of street children lived with their families. Out of these children, 51.84% slept on the sidewalks, 17.48% slept in shelters and 30.67% slept in other locations such as under bridges, railway station platforms, bus stops, parks, marketplaces, etc.

     Because of a lack of permanent shelter and the fact that the number of street children is not recorded in any national survey or study, street children are often called the ‘hidden children’. Being hidden, they are at a higher risk for abuse, exploited and neglected. Another group that is at risk of ending up on the street are migrant children. Children come to cities in the hope of finding new jobs and opportunities for their families. Unfortunately increasing populations in the cities, children that come to the cities face meager incomes, poor housing and usually end up on the street.

     NVIS International Ministries, Inc. is trying to help with this problem, we can’t help every child, but, with your help, we can help some. And some are better than none. Please consider Being an Answer to one of the eighteen million question marks. Your donation is tax-deductible and will go directly to help these children.

     You may make a donation of any amount visiting donate.nvisim.org by visiting donate.nvisim.org. If you would like to make a cash donation or would like to send a check, please contact us.