Growing Up On India’s Dangerous Streets

In early January, a team of Operation Blessing representatives went to the streets with the purpose of inviting street children to “Holiday of Hope”, a special 1-day event created especially for them. Fourteen-year-olds Ramesh and Sudhakar were shocked and excited. Ramesh said, “No one has taken any interest on us. We have not been invited for a special program. Nobody actually talks to us. Thank you and we look forward for that day.”

The teens couldn’t remember the last time they had felt accepted. Ten years ago Ramesh’s parents died. Unable to feed another mouth, the then four-year-old boy’s relatives abandoned him on the streets. Alone and unimaginably frightened, the child stumbled upon a railway station where other boys in the same circumstance tried to survive.

A short time later Ramesh welcomed a friend who would become his brother. Sudhakar had been very sick. He always felt drowsy and complained of different symptoms. His parents could not afford to take him to a doctor. He continued complaining until they no longer could take it. Sudhakar’s sister took him to the railway station and left him there. Sudhakar never saw her again.

The two pre-school-aged boys began looking out for each other. Every day danger lurked around them. Days turned into months. The months eventually turned into years. They slept on cold cement floors and picked rags in exchange for food. With sadness they shared, “We leave early in the morning with a group of boys to pick rags at the garbage dump. For ten hours a day we go through the garbage. It stinks and sometimes we feel sick. We can’t take baths and only have one set of clothing. We got used to the smell. When we need money badly, we beg. It is humiliating.

“Once in a while we see someone our age dressed well and looking smart. We wished we were like him. It is not possible. We hide away from society. Eventually it was too difficult to stay at the railway station. We moved to a slum and made a small covering on our head with plastic sheets. This has been our home for five years.”

Not everyone had forgotten these boys. January 14, 2003 was the big day! Excited street children as young as toddler age all the way up to teens came to stand in line at St. Patrick’s School in Secunderabad as early as six o'clock in the morning. Four hundred and seventy nine children walked through the registration counter. Once registered, fifteen were assigned to one supervisor who then led the young guests through the day’s numerous activities.

The first event was sitting down for a haircut, getting a bath and then putting on a new set of clothes and pair of sandals. Not only was their appearance transformed, their faces were overcome with joy when receiving the items! The boys and girls then ate a breakfast of upma, chutney, milk and a boiled egg. Soon they were equipped with balloons, balls and sports items, ready to play games organized by Youth With A Mission.

During this time there were a number of counselors representing four children’s homes who took time to talk with the guests. They encouraged them to move to a home for rehabilitation. Operation Blessing had been promised by the organizations that about one hundred children could be accommodated in these homes. Many were interested in the idea of staying in a place where they can have shelter, food, education, and the opportunity to become solid citizens.

During “Hope of Hope’s” event, general medical, dental and optical care was also available. After building up an appetite, the boys and girls were served a healthy lunch of fried rice, chicken curry, sambhar, curds and a banana. The afternoon session included songs and drama. When the day’s event came to an end with a snack of cakes and tea, each guest was given a towel, soap and a comb. “There was great bliss and cheerfulness on the face of the children,” shared Kumar, an OBI representative. “They were thrilled and enjoyed every part of the program.”

Even though they had to head back to the plastic sheet shelter, Ramesh and Sudhakar said, “We have had the best time of our life!” Arrangements are also being made for them to begin a new life and to learn a trade.

There are so many more abandoned and hungry people like Ramesh and Sudhakar in the world. With your help, Operation Blessing can bring them hunger relief.