They are working for fulfillment of the dreams of street children who have chosen slums and streets over life with their family.
The SALAAM BAALAK TRUST’S primary purpose is “to reunite these kids with their family”.
Nick from London, working since Jan 2009. Fund raiser for Salaam Baalak Trust. “I am happy to work here. I feel satisfied , I am doing something good for society”.
Salaam Baalak Trust with the help of Child Welfare Committee search for children (under 14 age) living on the streets and the railway tracks. These children then are convinced to stay at their shelter homes or come to one of their 7 contact points on everyday basis.
At the shelter homes the children are provided with basic amenities of food, shelter and clothing. They are also educated, and are provided with vocational training with the help of Shramik Vidyapeeth and Gurukul to make them self dependent.
After completing school each child gets 50% financial aid to pursue higher studies. Students are also provided with part time jobs so that they can earn for themselves.
There is a impressive list of companies which give employment to SBT children which include brands such as Café Coffee Day, Pizza Hut, Park Hotels, Matrix Clothing and Interface.
Salaam Baalak Trust also gets aid from United States agency for International Development.
(in order of left to right)
Fayaaj, 13 years, studying in vth came from Bethiya, Bihar. “I am happy here, I got lots of friend like me”.
Indar, 13 years from Faridabad Haryana, “I was alone, could not study and brothers from Salaam Baalak Trust brought me here”.
Anmol, 14 years, studying in IXth standard. He has completed his basics in computer and wants to pursue Hardware learning. He joined SBT seven months ago when he lost his parents in a road accident. He is learning English and can also converse in Spanish.
The trust also has various aid programs and has an annual event and city walks around the New Delhi Railway station which attracts a lot of western and Indian travelers. But Some have even taken objection to this. As per the information available, social activists are up against these slum tours and say it is voyeurism at its worst.
Javed Abidi, a disabled rights activist, says, "The children or the slum dwellers no way benefit from this. Celebrities and foreign dignitaries make it a point to visit slums, street children and girls' homes.”
The Salaam Baalak Trust takes this criticism as a byproduct of their work and ultimately aims to become the voice of growing confidence, the mind of quieter turmoil, the vision of hope who walk their life alone and vulnerable.
Brijesh is a live example of their achievement.
Brijesh is working with Salaam Baalak Trust and has been brought up in this trust.
Before he was found by the trust he lived on the New Delhi railway tracks for 5 years. He ran away from his native home Bihar when he was 8 years old and was in the 2nd standard.
Though his school wasn’t English medium he is well versed with languages like Hindi, English, Bhojpuri and French.
Hi Surabhi, it is Mihir, I was expecting update of your blog probably u are busy in Lucknow.
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