Street children are one of the most marginalised and vulnerable groups in society around the world. They live in huge threat, and often do not get the support they desperately need. According to UN estimates and reports, there are approximately 150 million children living on the street around the world. In reality, the figure is likely to be much higher, as so much is unreported and undiscovered.
In this article, we break down why you should support charities for street children, and how your donations are transforming and saving lives everyday:
1. Street children are experiencing unimaginable horrors
Children living on the streets are living in constant fear, without protection, food or hope for their futures. They often spend their days and nights working or begging, moving from place to place or operating within larger, organised circles that are dangerous, exploitative and harmful. All children should be carefree and happy, but street children are at huge risk of exploitation, abuse, forced prostitution, trafficking, forced labour and slavery.
In Bangladesh, over 50% of the population live in poverty, which leaves some parents unable to care for their children, resulting in abandonment and ill-treatment. In the country’s capital, Dhaka, there are more than 500,000 children living and working on the streets. Innocent children are getting caught up in gang-related disputes and violence, carrying weapons and are taking part in illegal activities.
In Pakistan, 1.3 million children are living on the streets, in terrible conditions. Many have become addicted to drugs, either as a coping mechanism, or due to the coercion of and involvement with gangs.
By supporting charities for street children, like Muslim Charity, you’ll be helping to rescue these children. Your donations can help provide safety, shelter, protection, nutritious food and education to transform their life.
2. You’ll make the world of difference
As one of the leading charities for street children, we support street children in Bangladesh and Pakistan, trying to give them a better childhood and future. Most children living on the street do not go to school, have a nutritious diet, or have a safe space to rest. At Muslim Charity, we are determined to change that.
We are one of very few charities for street children currently actively working in Bangladesh and Pakistan. We started working with street children in Bangladesh in 2014, where we identify children on the street and offer them sanctity and security away from the perils they face. We rescue street children by removing them from the streets, and strive to reunite them with their families where possible. In some cases, this is not possible as it could place the child at greater risk, or there may not be any family able to care for the child. In these cases, we refer the child to a permanent shelter, which provides safety, a quality education and everything the child needs to thrive and flourish.
In Pakistan we run child protection centres which offer safety and education, as well as working with their families.
Your donations help charities for street children identify children in need, rescue them and help build a future that is bright, safe and full of opportunity.
3. Your donations will help us find children who would otherwise never be found
Hundreds of thousands of street children are not receiving the support they need, and are often hidden from those who can help. Many children are hiding from police authorities or operating within organised groups. By supporting charities for street children, you help organisations invest in robust outreach programmes that enable vulnerable street children to be found and rescued.
In Bangladesh, in the past 12 months alone we rescued 166 children from the streets. They were either reunited with their families or referred to permanent shelters. In our child protection centres in Pakistan more than 500 children have received informal education and psychosocial treatment.
Kind donations have enabled us to support thousands of children, but thousands upon thousands more are still in urgent need of support.
4. It can help raise awareness and can facilitate long-term, institutional change
Supporting charities working with street children, like Muslim Charity helps facilitate larger conversations around child protection and the rights of children worldwide. We work with local authorities, governments, partner organisations and community groups across our projects. This helps us contribute to wider behaviour change, and also helps raise awareness at a governmental level. This means that in time, we can help contribute to legal and political change that will enhance the rights of street children and protect them from danger.
5. Caring for children is beloved to Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Prophet Muhammad (saw) expressed a deep compassion and regard for children, encouraging us to treat them with kindness and love, especially orphans.
The Prophet (saw) said, “(It happens that) I start the prayer intending to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I shorten the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother’s passions.” (Al-Bukhari)
In seeking to protect orphans, we are able to honour the teachings of our beloved Prophet (saw), who was gentle, affectionate and patient with all children.
Muslim Charity provides street children with a better life full of opportunities, safety and joy. Find out more about our work by clicking here and donate now to help rescue a child.
