Giving food or money to a child begging on streets cannot be a permanent solution to the problem and this is what made Mrinmayee Kolape, 21, realise that something needed to be done beyond this. This is when she joined hands with city based NGO Roshni to start a centre that will help people rescue the street kids.
Talking with iamin, Kolape said, "Just handing over some food or money to a child begging on the road is not enough. We need to do something, but many of us are not aware of where to start from." Kolape is currently a post graduate student studying gender, culture and development at Savitribhai Phule Pune University. Kolape always wanted to help street kids and now guides individuals on how to approach NGOs like Childline or local authorities to complain if anyone is physically abusing or threatening small children to beg on the streets.
"If anyone wants to help a kid in any area, they can call me. Roshni members and I will visit the child and conduct basics inquiries. If our counselling does not help convince the guardians or parents to stop their kids from begging, then we will involve NGOs like Childline," informed Kolape. She added that they would also arrange for education facilities for the child or rehabilitation in some cases.
The idea of starting this centre for help came to Kolape when she along with two others saw 12-year-old Soni begging outside Gyan Prabodhini. "I gave her food one day, but then after seeing her beg every day I wanted to do something more for her," she explained. Kolape then approached Childline and Snehalaya – NGOs related to women and child welfare.
"The NGO heads warned Soni’s sister and brother-in-law who hit and forced her to beg, even though she was physically challenged," said Kolape. The girl's family was warned to stop ill treating Soni and Kolape is in the process of arranging her admissions at a municipal school.
"Education is what these kids require. If anyone wants to help children like Soni they can come to us. We can rescue them together and make sure that they are educated and not exploited."
To inform about a child who is being forced to beg, call Mrinmayee Kolape at 9404764176.
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