Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhopal (Agenzia Fides) - According to a latest count, India has 11.28 million child workers under the age of 14. This country boasts a sad world record number of child workers. Most of the children, 80%, are exploited in farm work in rural areas, however minors are 'used' in the making of carpets, jewellery, domestic work, in the hotel industry, in mines, on building sites, in brick making, and many are simply abandoned to prostitution. Whatever the work, the pay the children receive is pitiful.
On the streets of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh more than a million children can be seen. Most of them or tribal origin, or lower caste families living below the poverty line, in total neglect. For family survival, the children's meagre recompense is essential. In the outskirts of the state capital, Khandwa, at least 1,500, children live in this pitiful situation. In 2003 to tackle the problem, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden opened three bridge-school-centres where 150 street children are prepared for entry to proper schools. The schools are situated near train or bus stations where children begging for money are easy victims for perpetrators of human trafficking, prostitution, abuse. The Centres are housed in huts and every morning one of the teachers and a helper go out in search of children who have not turned up for lessons and to take care of the little ones. Gradually the children, many victims of the drug mafia, are rehabilitated and returned to school and family life. (AP) (12/6/2010 Agenzia Fides).
