Wednesday 9 November 2016

SBT - Changing Lives of Street Children in Little Different Ways

Based out of Delhi, Salaam Baalak Trust is a non-profit organization for street children. It’s main objective is to improve the lives of those children who survive and work on the streets or have been orphaned or abandoned by their parents. SBT’s works tirelessly to rescue such children from their lives of poverty and distress and provide them with the necessary care, shelter, education, nutrition and an overall healthy life. SBT also trains the kids in tradecraft and miscellaneous skills that would make them self-sufficient in pursuing a career of their choice. 

Operations Undertaken by Salaam Baalak Trust

There are mainly 4 departments under which SBT has categorized its mission:

Resident Homes and Centres for Children

Delhi has a total of 18 Salaam Baalak Trust centres - 13 Contact Points and 5 shelter homes. A contact point is like a day centre that is generally situated at crowded places and exit points like railway stations, to find, identify and provide relief to distressed children on the streets. The young street children often have a fragile emotional state and can also be quite aggressive as a result of a harsh childhood on the streets. The teams of SBT at these contact points aim to find such children and treat them with warmth and sensitivity. All centres of SBT provide these neglected children with the facilities they need through a short-term or full time residency. They also organize medical check-ups/treatments and attempt to trace the history and background of these children if possible. SBT takes the kids under its caring wing and works non-stop for the well-being of these unfortunate children. Some of the major services at these Contact Points are:
  • Identify and reach out to distressed children 
  • Provide food, clothing and toilet amenities
  • Provide counselling
  • Provide education and vocational training
  • Provide health support
  • Engage children in various recreational activities and skilled hobbies
Medical Care

The children who live on streets are usually surrounded by an unsanitary and unhygienic environment. They are often exposed to different types of diseases and infections. Due to lack of support and care, these children do not entirely understand the importance of  staying in hygienic conditions and maintaining sanitation.
SBT frequently conducts medical check ups for the kids in their centres. Every child possesses a health card where their medical specifics and history are maintained. Pathological tests are conducted on children if recommended by the doctors. SBT has a full time doctor at their premises to attend to the children at all times. Regular vaccinations are also provided to them such as Hepatitis-B and tetanus.

Educational and Social Exposure

SBT prioritizes education of street children among other things. It believes that there is no speedy solution for children who have been denied education; education at SBT has to be need-based and demand-driven. SBT makes use of various educational programs to impart formal as well as non-formal education. The primary purpose is to make sure that the children grow up to be knowledgeable, conscientious and responsible citizens of the world. 

Recreational Activities

SBT continuously encourages its children to develop a creative interest and indulge in performing arts to discover, display and sharpen their talents. Many creative recreational programs are organized by SBT like pottery, theatre, puppetry, photography, dance and others. Salaam Baalak Trust strives to inculcate a sense of self-confidence, dignity and positive thinking in these children by conducting these activities and events. 

Salaam Baalak Trust has been working tirelessly for street children to improve their lives and show them the right path for pursuing their hopes and dreams for a great career ahead.