Protection
It is estimated that over 100, 000 children are forced to exist on the streets of Kolkata, with no form of shelter. The number increases to 250,000 if you include children whose only shelter is plastic sheeting or shacks. Our Child Watch programme identifies children at risk – those that have been abandoned, are ill, or vulnerable to trafficking.
Our Emergency Response Unit patrols the street every night throughout the year; starving children have been given food, clothing and temporary shelter. Sick and injured children have been taken to the Hope Hospital and high-risk girls have been placed in shelters.
Because of Child Watch, there is an increasing awareness among street dwellers, that help is available – encouraging them to come forward when they need it.
The Open Shelter
This is a 24 hour intervention centre for children who are lost, abandoned, exploited, sick or hungry. They are given an education, shelter and protection until their family is traced. The Open Shelter also operates as a day centre for children who do not go to school, because they have dropped out or have been excluded due to poor performance or substance abuse.