A sea of faces
Over 450 million children between the ages of 0-18 make their home within the subcontinent of India. This means that one out of every 5 children in the world is Indian. Many of these young lives are subject to poverty and risk, as above 400 million of those children depend on an informal economy.
Swaatch Bharat
Good Shepherd Homes is standing with the government’s commitment for a cleaner India (Swaatch Bharat). This current initiative does not just strive for better sanitary and ecological conditions. Swaatch Bharat also aims to eradicate the underlying causes of poverty and inequality. More often than not, the new generation has to pay the price for the sins of the last generation. The infant generation pays a price before having the means to do so. Several risk factor into child welfare in India. We will mention a few of them.
Children at risk
The main factors that affect the safety of children in India are:
Urban Migration. Families leave the village with high hopes of employment in the big city. They come to urban centres with minimal finance and without relatives to support them in their new abode. Before long, the family end up staying at a train station, on the road, or in a low quality slum dwelling. Here the children are exposed to heat, road traffic, health hazards and hunger.
Addictions. When resources are low and pressure is high, many resort to escape life’s trials through alcohol and drug misuse. Parental care and oversight fail in the presence of substance abuse, and the only lessons learned by the children are those that should be avoided.
Domestic Violence. When frustration and stress increases, a parent may resort to violence. Any violence within the family unit is detrimental and traumatising, whether the child becomes the victim or merely the observer of strife.
Family Breakdown. When family structure fails, the children pay the highest price. their physical and emotional health suffers inestimably. No child should have to process the emotional strain of parental desertion or separation.
Solutions
Good Shepherd Homes strives to provide a learning and home environment where safety, happiness and harmony are safeguarded at all times. the Good Shepherd Homes team works long hours to ensure that every child blossoms and is able to fulfil their God-given potential. At the same time, active relations with parents an relatives are maintained on a constant basis.
