Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Turning point in the lives of many a street children

VIJAYAWADA: It was difficult to believe that the audience comprised a set of adolescents who were constantly exposed to violence, hostility and distorted social interactions.

Since most of them had been on streets for some time amidst negative attitudes and disdainful behaviour, their unruly disposition was understandable.

The whole exercise of creating a common platform was to help them gain inspiration from people who can make a difference in their lives.

The 150-odd adolescent street children attending the awareness workshop organised by the SKCV Children’s Trust at Santosh Bhavan in Gandhinagar on Friday listened in rapt attention inspiring tales of how positive attitude and determination could change one’s life for better.

“Adolescence is the most crucial phase of life. I want you to make the best of the available time by concentrating on education.

“Think positive and you will find yourself winning the toughest of the battles,” said P.G. Sairam Prakash, Superintendent of the District Jail, Vijayawada.

Mr. Prakash struck an immediate chord with the young listeners by speaking in their parlance of how a ‘villain’ could turn into a ‘hero’ by spending his energy on a good cause.

The boys, all aged between 15 and 19, could relate their real life tales with the situations identified by the speakers.

Director of Navajeevan Bal Bhavan Thomas Koshy stressed the importance of self-confidence and corroborated his observation with a real life story of an African kid who lost his speech after being subjected to trauma. Dumped in a juvenile home, he languishes silently until his painting skills are spotted and encouraged by one of the prison staffers.

With little care and attention, he regains his speech and grows into a confident, self-made successful businessman.

“Connect to your inner self and discover the latent talent. Tap the resources and there will be no looking back for you,” he said.

K. Siva Sankar Rao, Project Director of the National Child Labour Project, promised to extend all possible help for rehabilitation of the children.

Managing Trustee of the SKCV Bhakti Manihara recalled the dream of her late husband Manihara who wanted to provide shelter to every single child in the street.

By the end of the programme, some 40 boys were motivated to fill application forms for various vocational training programmes being imparted by the district administration.

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