Children in Street Situation

As you walk through the bustling streets of your city, have you ever stopped to think about the children you see living and working on the streets? Millions of children around the world, including in India, spend their days and nights on streets, facing numerous challenges and vulnerabilities. Understanding their situation is crucial for building more inclusive and protective communities.

Who Are Children in Street Situation?

Imagine walking down a busy Mumbai street at dusk. Among the honking rickshaws and street vendors, you notice children darting between traffic, sleeping on cardboard under shop awnings, or helping their parents sell balloons or shine shoes. These children are not just “on the street” for a few hours; they live, work, and sometimes sleep there because they have nowhere else to go. This is the reality of children in street situation—a term that captures the full spectrum of children who rely on public spaces for survival, whether they sleep there every night, return to family occasionally, or have completely lost contact with caregivers.

What ties these experiences together is not just physical presence on the street, but the absence of stable, safe shelter and protective adult care. Some children, called “of the street,” have severed ties with family and see the street as their primary home. Others, labelled “on the street,” spend their days working or begging but return to a family home at night. A third group, often overlooked, are children who drift between temporary shelters, railway platforms, or construction sites—places that offer no real safety or belonging.

In India, the Childline 1098 helpline receives over 4 million calls each year from children in such situations. Many of these calls come from Mumbai’s railway stations, where children as young as six live in groups, protecting one another while navigating theft, police harassment, and extreme weather. These children are not “delinquents” or “vagrants”—they are survivors. Their presence on the street is not a choice, but a sign of broken safety nets: poverty, abuse at home, migration, or loss of parents to illness or disaster. Recognizing this spectrum helps us move beyond stereotypes and design solutions that restore dignity, not just remove children from the streets.

What Are the Causes of Children Living on Streets?

When we think about children living on streets, it's easy to jump to definitions and statistics, but let's take a step back and understand the why behind this phenomenon. At its core, the issue of children in street situations is deeply rooted in factors that disrupt the stability and security of their lives. Poverty is a significant contributor, as families struggling to make ends meet may find themselves unable to provide for their children's basic needs, leading to a situation where children are forced to fend for themselves on the streets. Another critical factor is family breakdown, where children may be abandoned, orphaned, or flee from home due to abuse or neglect. The lack of access to education also plays a pivotal role, as it hinders children's opportunities for a better future, making them more vulnerable to ending up on the streets.

A concrete example from India that illustrates these factors is the story of the Salomon Chettur Academy in Kerala, which works with street children. This academy not only provides education but also addresses the root causes of why these children ended up on the streets in the first place, such as poverty and family issues. By offering a comprehensive support system, including education, healthcare, and emotional support, the academy helps these children to rebuild their lives and have a chance at a brighter future. This example highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes of children living on streets, rather than just the symptoms.

Understanding these causes is crucial because it allows us to develop targeted interventions that can make a real difference in the lives of these children. By acknowledging the complex interplay of poverty, family breakdown, and lack of access to education, we can work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive environment that prevents children from ending up on the streets in the first place.

How Do Children in Street Situation Survive?

Imagine waking up in a city where no one looks out for you—no bed to return to, no adult to ask for pocket money, no safety net at all. For children in street situations in India, this is daily life. Survival is not about abstract rights or policies; it’s about the immediate, creative ways they find food, shelter, and a sense of belonging. These children don’t wait for help—they act. They work small jobs—selling balloons at traffic lights, polishing shoes, or collecting recyclables—earning just enough to eat that day. Begging is another strategy, not out of choice, but necessity, often near temples or railway stations where people are more likely to give. But survival isn’t only about money. Many form tight-knit support networks with peers who become like family, sharing food, sleeping spots, and even protecting each other from threats like abuse or police harassment.

Take the story of the Koshish Children’s Community in Mumbai, a grassroots effort run by and for street-connected youth. Here, children who once begged or scavenged now run small canteens and tailoring units, earning fair wages while staying safe. These networks don’t just provide income—they restore dignity. A 14-year-old girl who once slept under a flyover now manages her own stall, thanks to a peer-led support system that taught her skills and shielded her from exploitation. For these children, survival is both a daily grind and a collective fight—one where every small earning and every trusted friend can mean the difference between sleeping hungry and sleeping safe.

What Are the Risks and Challenges Faced by Children in Street Situation?

Imagine waking up on a pavement in Delhi, the winter morning fog still clinging to your clothes, with no adult to turn to and no door to knock on. This is the daily reality for thousands of children in street situations across India. Beyond the visible absence of a home, these children face layered risks that cut across their bodies, minds, and spirits—risks that society often overlooks because they are out of sight and out of mind.

Physically, life on the street exposes children to severe harm. They endure extreme weather—scorching summer heat that can cause dehydration and heatstroke, monsoon downpours that flood shelters and spread waterborne diseases, and biting Delhi winters that lead to respiratory infections and malnutrition. Many sleep on cardboard or near railway tracks, vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Health risks don’t stop there: poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water increase their chances of contracting tuberculosis, diarrhoea, and skin infections. In 2022, a study by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) found that over 60% of Mumbai’s street-connected children suffered from at least one chronic health condition, with respiratory illnesses being the most common.

Emotionally and psychologically, these children carry invisible wounds. Constant exposure to violence—from police crackdowns to street fights or even abuse by those who pretend to “protect” them—leaves deep scars. Many are manipulated into substance abuse, with glue sniffing or alcohol used as a coping mechanism or by exploiters to control them. The absence of stable relationships means they rarely experience safety or trust, leading to anxiety, depression, and a deep sense of abandonment. Schools feel like distant dreams, and without education, their future prospects shrink further.

Perhaps most chilling is the cycle of exploitation. Many children are trafficked into bonded labour, begging rings, or worse. In 2023, Delhi Police rescued 147 children from illegal placement agencies in a single operation—many had been trafficked from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh under the guise of “placement.” These children are not just victims of circumstance; they are targeted by networks that profit from their vulnerability.

These risks are not abstract statistics—they are lived experiences that demand urgent attention. Recognising and addressing them requires more than sympathy; it calls for systemic change, compassionate intervention, and a commitment to seeing every child as someone’s future.

What Role Do Governments and Organizations Play in Supporting Children in Street Situation?

When we think about supporting children in street situation, it's essential to consider the role of governments and organizations in providing vital services and programs. These entities play a crucial part in addressing the complex needs of street-connected children, from basic necessities like shelter and food to education, rehabilitation, and emotional support. By examining the policies, programs, and services offered by governments and organizations, we can gain a deeper understanding of how they contribute to the well-being and development of these children. For instance, in India, the government's Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in street situations, including those living on the streets, in institutions, or with families. This scheme offers a range of services, including shelter, education, and vocational training, to help these children reintegrate into society.

A notable example of an organization making a positive impact in India is the Salvation Army, which operates several shelters and rehabilitation centers for street children across the country. These centers provide a safe haven, education, and vocational training, empowering children to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. Additionally, organizations like Save the Children and Childline work tirelessly to rescue children from exploitative situations, provide them with medical care and counseling, and reunite them with their families whenever possible. By collaborating with governments, NGOs, and local communities, these organizations help create a supportive ecosystem that addresses the unique challenges faced by children in street situations.

Through their efforts, governments and organizations can help rehabilitate and reintegrate street-connected children into society, providing them with the tools and resources necessary to build a brighter future. By understanding the importance of shelter, education, and rehabilitation in supporting these children, we can work towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive environment that allows them to thrive. Ultimately, it is through the collective efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals that we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in street situations, helping them to overcome the challenges they face and reach their full potential.

How Can Communities and Individuals Make a Positive Impact?

Behind every child sleeping on a pavement or working at a traffic light is a story of unmet needs—not lack of love, but lack of opportunity. When communities and individuals choose to act, small steps can ripple into life-changing waves. Volunteering at night shelters run by Salaam Baalak Trust in Delhi shows how one hour a week can mean safety for a child who would otherwise spend the night on the streets. Donating a pair of sturdy shoes or a warm blanket may seem simple, yet for a child walking barefoot through Delhi’s winter, it becomes a shield against frostbite and despair. Advocacy, too, carries weight: when residents in Mumbai teamed up with local NGOs to push for the implementation of the “Street Children Protection Scheme”, they transformed a policy promise into real ration cards and school admissions for over 2,000 children in just six months. Each act—whether serving a meal, dropping off school supplies, or speaking up at a ward meeting—sends a quiet message: no child is invisible. When enough ordinary people choose to care, the street loses its grip and hope finds a foothold.

What Are the Challenges in Providing Support to Children in Street Situation?

Providing support to children in street situations is a complex and challenging task. One of the primary concerns is the lack of resources, which hinders the ability of organizations to provide adequate care and services to these children. In India, for instance, the NGO Save the Children has been working tirelessly to support street-connected children, but they often face difficulties in accessing sufficient funds and resources to cater to the growing number of children in need. The limited access to these children, who are often scattered across various locations, makes it difficult for organizations to reach out and provide them with the necessary support.

Another significant challenge is the stigma associated with street-connected children. Many people view these children as a nuisance or a threat, rather than as vulnerable individuals who deserve care and protection. This stigma can lead to discrimination and social exclusion, making it even more challenging for organizations to provide support and services to these children. For example, in some cities in India, street-connected children are often denied access to public spaces and facilities, such as parks and toilets, due to the negative perceptions surrounding them.

In addition to these challenges, organizations also face difficulties in providing support to street-connected children due to the limited availability of specialized services. These children often require specialized care and support, such as counseling, education, and vocational training, which can be difficult to access. In India, the organization Childline has been working to provide these specialized services to street-connected children, but they often face challenges in terms of funding and resources. Despite these challenges, it is essential to continue providing support to children in street situations, as they are one of the most vulnerable populations in society.

What Is the Way Forward for Supporting Children in Street Situation?

The way forward for supporting children in street situation requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government support, community engagement, and individual action. It is essential to understand that children in street situation are not just victims of circumstance, but also resilient individuals who deserve our care and attention. By providing them with access to education, healthcare, and social support, we can help them break the cycle of poverty and exploitation. For instance, the government can play a crucial role by implementing policies and programs that cater to the needs of these children, such as providing them with identity documents, enrolling them in schools, and offering vocational training. Additionally, community engagement is vital in creating a supportive environment for these children, where they can feel safe and valued. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns, fundraising events, and volunteer work. Moreover, individual action can also make a significant difference, as seen in the example of the Indian non-profit organization, Save the Children, which works tirelessly to provide education, healthcare, and protection to children in street situation. Their efforts have shown that with dedication and perseverance, it is possible to make a positive impact on the lives of these children and help them build a brighter future.

Key takeaways

• Children in street situations are those who rely on public spaces for survival due to the absence of stable, safe shelter and protective adult care.
• The term captures a spectrum of experiences, including children who live on the streets, those who work on the streets but return home at night, and those who drift between temporary shelters.
• Poverty, family breakdown, and lack of access to education are significant contributors to children living on streets.
• Recognizing the spectrum of children in street situations helps in designing solutions that restore dignity, not just remove children from the streets.
• Children in street situations are survivors, not delinquents or vagrants, and their presence on the street is a sign of broken safety nets.
• Addressing the root causes of children living on streets, such as poverty and family issues, is crucial for developing targeted interventions that can make a real difference in their lives.

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