Fund Raiser In Aid Salaam Baalak Trust @30 Years

Salaam Baalak Trust, an NGO working with street children is celebrating 30 years of providing basic facilities to the vulnerable children who live on the harsh streets of Delhi NCR or who find themselves abandoned there. The Trust was set up after the success of internationally acclaimed film Salaam Bombay by Mira Nair in 1988.

 "Why would a child run away from anything that he/she is familiar with - parents, home, friends, and surroundings? But pushed to the wall, many try to escape what must be a living nightmare, an alcoholic father, an abusive step mother, a sexually predatory relative, grinding poverty or the lure of bright city lights offered up by seemingly innocent traffickers – it's a hope for a better life that makes them leave home”.

Since inception, Salaam Baalak Trust has been a constant source of helping such children realize their rights and feel safe in this world. The trust has toiled tirelessly and garnered immense goodwill allowing it to support over 90,000 children in need. Today the trust has 12 contact points, 7 shelter homes. 1000 of these children go to regular schools and 18000 have been reunited with their families. Many of these children are rescued by the Child line (a dedicated help line manned 24 x7) staff upon getting a phone call or after surveys done in child labor intensive areas with the help of the police.

The NGO provides shelter, education, and most importantly care and love.

To celebrate this milestone and to gather funds to continue the work, SBT is presenting a beautiful memorable concert with well-known Composer and Singer - Shekhar Ravjiani  on 13th December 2018 @ Siri fort Auditorium – Delhi

After sold out shows recently in Dubai, Jakarta, KL, Singapore and Hongkong, it is the first ticketed concert in India.

Book your tickets on INSIDER to avoid disappointment!! 

We Thank Vistara and Make my Trip for their support towards the event.

The Sad Story of Depression Faced by Street Children

Depression is a serious disease and in the current landscape, it is reaching on an alarming level. No major efforts are being taken to deal with it. It is a problem that is steadily rising. This following incident by counseling psychologist shall bring you closer to issues related to depression, anxiety and PTSD.

A young girl Seema was brought to a full care residential centre in Delhi after being abandoned by her foster family. Reasons for abandoning were her recurring mood swings. As such efforts were not taken to win her confidence and keep her, rather, the family quickly shipped her to a shelter. It was noticed that she was keeping to herself and used to harm herself as well. She was sent to Salaam Baalak Trust and was given formal education. The team working on her gave her own space wherein she could vent out her feelings. The trust offered her ways through which she could showcase her strength. This way, Seema was able to take charge of her life, though, issues were not resolved fully.

As per the counseling psychologist, there are several children like her in the trust. It is saddening to realize that there are many street children who suffer from anxiety disorders, depression, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In fact, the counselor has tracked autism cases also among children.

This opportunity gave a lot of psychologists become mental health professionals and meet with different kinds of mental health requirements. With respect to mental health status in India, very less research has been done till date. Since, not much effort is done, so a lot of people are actually not aware what these children actually go through. It is crucial to work on street children education activities.

It is extremely important that lot of research should take place to understand the grim reality of the special children. It is important to spread awareness regarding the issues and let the common people participate in helping these children. As per a research done during July and August 2010 by Institute for Human Development and Save the Children, it is said that around 51000 were found to be street children in Delhi. A large ratio of this population is involved in child labour and most of them are said to be prone to abuse both mental and physical.

It can be said that a lot of home work needs to be done from the perspective of research. In this regard, Salaam Baalak Trust is doing a remarkable job in uplifting the standard of children living in deprived condition. If you wish to contribute, why don’t you start with volunteering? Visit the website today!

Help Street Children in Overcoming all Obstacles

Children dwelling on streets are most prone to abuse. The atrocity of abuse is extensive and affects them mentally and physically. Having no care and love by their side, it gets really difficult for the street children to move on in life. Street children who are intellectually deficit need special environment, infrastructure and care. Read this piece of information to understand more about mental health of street children.

The children are mostly addicted to drugs and this simply adds to the plight of dwindling mental health of them. It is important to rescue these children and give them better lives. How can we do it? The effort taken by every individual is the only way to bring a change in the society as a whole. 

In the process of street children rescue, there are several NGOs that are engaged in working for these children. One of them being Salaam Baalak Trust. The team at SBT relentlessly works to provide the adequate amount of love and affection. From giving shelter homes, access to education to engaging children in curricular activities, SBT is doing what not. You can help in the same manner too.

Children with special needs need special provision which are expensive and any contribution towards their education will make a major change in their lives and in our work. You can help by either donating to SBT or by organizing any volunteering activity. Monetary help always does wonders and aims to stimulate the activities that are dedicated to the welfare of the children. Volunteer activity pertains to any personality development based activity that you can do. You can organize a computer learning course as well. This helps children in multidimensional ways. In addition, you can shop things that have been handcrafted by the children of Salaam Baalak Trust. If you buy, you are not only helping but also appreciating the talent of the children. 

Salaam Baalak has been working in the area of children’s welfare for last several decades. It is their efforts that has helped so many children in shaping their lives. You can also be a pillar of support for them. Go ahead now!

Salaam Baalak Trust - New Lives, New Dreams

Many developing countries are plagued with the issue of homeless and abandoned children. Although there are many sympathizers to the cause there are not many countries that are doing enough the tackle this glaring problem. To handle this issue effectively it is important to understand the wide range of conditions, experiences and challenges faced by these children. While some may have a modest establishment to retire to at night, there are many who live and sleep on the streets and wander in search of a suitable shelter on a regular basis. Moreover, there is a constant competition for the limited resources that the streets have to offer. Not only do the children have to fight for a sleeping shelter, they also have to find means to earn a living. Many non profit organizations (NGOs) have come to the assistance of these children providing them with a stable shelter, meals and medical aid. To help them effectively the volunteers must understand the hardships faced by them as it gives a good outlook of the lives they have led. Salaam Baalak Trust is one such NGO that works relentlessly to develop solutions to ensure street children lead long, fulfilling lives.

Goal of Salaam Baalak Trust 

SBT strives to create a healthy and nurturing environment for the street children to enable them to grow mentally, physically and holistically. Since most of the children have led lives of struggle and hardships, a comfortable environment would help them to acclimatize to a normal life in a civil society. SBT aims to provide them with a better life and empower them to dream about a great future ahead in terms of career.

Volunteer Contributions

Anyone who is willing can volunteer, donate and contribute to Salaam Baalak Trust. A simple help from you can change a child’s entire future. Volunteers can indulge in teaching and inspiring the children. You can also contribute by spreading the word about us and even giving us suggestions on how we can make our cause more effective and increase its exposure. Monetary donations can also be made that will be used to rescue more and more children and provide them with better facilities to live, learn and grow. You can also sponsor a child’s education. Salaam Baalak Trust is extremely honoured by any contribution and goes great lengths to ensure they are utilized effectively to identify, rescue, protect the street children.

SBT - Changing Lives of Street Children in Little Different Ways

Based out of Delhi, Salaam Baalak Trust is a non-profit organization for street children. It’s main objective is to improve the lives of those children who survive and work on the streets or have been orphaned or abandoned by their parents. SBT’s works tirelessly to rescue such children from their lives of poverty and distress and provide them with the necessary care, shelter, education, nutrition and an overall healthy life. SBT also trains the kids in tradecraft and miscellaneous skills that would make them self-sufficient in pursuing a career of their choice. 

Operations Undertaken by Salaam Baalak Trust

There are mainly 4 departments under which SBT has categorized its mission:

Resident Homes and Centres for Children

Delhi has a total of 18 Salaam Baalak Trust centres - 13 Contact Points and 5 shelter homes. A contact point is like a day centre that is generally situated at crowded places and exit points like railway stations, to find, identify and provide relief to distressed children on the streets. The young street children often have a fragile emotional state and can also be quite aggressive as a result of a harsh childhood on the streets. The teams of SBT at these contact points aim to find such children and treat them with warmth and sensitivity. All centres of SBT provide these neglected children with the facilities they need through a short-term or full time residency. They also organize medical check-ups/treatments and attempt to trace the history and background of these children if possible. SBT takes the kids under its caring wing and works non-stop for the well-being of these unfortunate children. Some of the major services at these Contact Points are:

• Identify and reach out to distressed children 
• Provide food, clothing and toilet amenities
• Provide counselling
• Provide education and vocational training
• Provide health support
• Engage children in various recreational activities and skilled hobbies

Medical Care

The children who live on streets are usually surrounded by an unsanitary and unhygienic environment. They are often exposed to different types of diseases and infections. Due to lack of support and care, these children do not entirely understand the importance of  staying in hygienic conditions and maintaining sanitation.

SBT frequently conducts medical check ups for the kids in their centres. Every child possesses a health card where their medical specifics and history are maintained. Pathological tests are conducted on children if recommended by the doctors. SBT has a full time doctor at their premises to attend to the children at all times. Regular vaccinations are also provided to them such as Hepatitis-B and tetanus.

Educational and Social Exposure

SBT prioritizes education of street children among other things. It believes that there is no speedy solution for children who have been denied education; education at SBT has to be need-based and demand-driven. SBT makes use of various educational programs to impart formal as well as non-formal education. The primary purpose is to make sure that the children grow up to be knowledgeable, conscientious and responsible citizens of the world. 

Recreational Activities

SBT continuously encourages its children to develop a creative interest and indulge in performing arts to discover, display and sharpen their talents. Many creative recreational programs are organized by SBT like pottery, theatre, puppetry, photography, dance and others. Salaam Baalak Trust strives to inculcate a sense of self-confidence, dignity and positive thinking in these children by conducting these activities and events. 

Salaam Baalak Trust has been working tirelessly for street children to improve their lives and show them the right path for pursuing their hopes and dreams for a great career ahead.

How Salaam Baalak Trust Rescues Abandoned Street Children?

Salaam Baalak Trust is a non-profit organization in Delhi that aims to uplift the life of underprivileged, orphaned, street children who do not posses the necessary means for a healthy life or prospects of a bright future. Salaam Baalak’s objective is to provide these children with care, protection, health, nutrition, education and vocational training that would make their lives better and help them to fulfill their dreams.

Creation Of Salaam Baalak Trust

The harsh and unforgiving streets of Delhi have been home to thousands of orphaned or neglected children since many years. These children have most elements missing from their life, which are essential for human living. They are deprived of food, care, security, education and most importantly love. In an effort to create a more livable world for these underprivileged children, Salaam Baalak

Trust (SBT) was created. 

Salaam Baalak, which literally translates to ‘Salute the Child’strives to uphold the spirit of street children without any discrimination based on caste, religion or gender. SBT centres welcome all children below the age of 18 who work and live on the streets. I provides them with care, love, education and instills in them the resolve to live a life of dignity and pursue their dreams.

SBT’s Mission and Vision

• Mission

The mission of Salaam Baalak trust is to provide underprivileged children working on the streets with a caring, loving and sensitive environment that enables them to lead a better life and hope for a healthier future. It aims to dissolve barriers that rob children of opportunities to realize their rights. 

• Vision

The vision of Salaam Baalak is to develop a nurturing environment for neglected street children that promotes their normal physical and mental growth. SBT believes that such an environment will allow them to return to mainstream society and eventually contribute to its development.

Contributions to Salaam Baalak Trust

Anyone who is willing to help our cause can contribute to SBT. There are many ways by which one can be a part of this initiative. You can contribute by spending time with the children to teach and motivate them. You can also contribute your ideas that would make this program better and gain more exposure among the citizens of India. You can also contribute financially by making charitable donations that would be used for the betterment of the facilities being provided to the rescued and abandoned children.

Donate, Volunteer or Sponsor an Orphan at Salaam Baalak Trust and Change Lives

Salaam Baalak Trust, an NGO in Delhi, was created with a vision to provide care, security, nutrition, education and overall a better life for the needful, distressed and deprived street children who have been abandoned or neglected since years. Most of these street kids are orphaned and underprivileged without even a hope for a healthy life or prospect of a promising future and Salaam Baalak Trust aims to provide both of these to them. 

The name Salaam Baalak is meant to be a Salute to the spirit of these brave children who have fought against numerous odds to survive the harsh and unforgiving streets. SBT provides proper care and protection to every deprived child without discriminating on any basis be it gender, religion or caste. It has opened its doors for thousands of children below the age of 18 who have been working on the streets all their life. Not only does SBT give the required care, love and nutrition but it also teaches them the importance of living a dignified life and a resolve to chase their dreams in the future. 

Salaam Baalak Contact Points 

Salaam Baalak Contact Points or CPs are SBT centres that are usually located at crowded places such as railway stations. These centres are basically the primary links that help identify vulnerable kids as they enter the city. Apart from these children, the Contact Points also work with kids who spend their entire lives on the streets and survive by picking rags or begging. New CPs have been established in various slum areas of Delhi like Geeta Colony or Seelampur since these pockets have a big population of children who face the risk of being neglected and left on the street to fend for themselves. 

Donate, Volunteer, Sponsor, Organize 

Anyone can contribute to the Salaam Baalak Trust. Some of the main ways by which you can offer assistance to the children are: 

• Volunteering to teach and motivate them 
• Donating money for the betterment of facilities 
• Sponsoring and orphan child 
• Organizing fund-raising events 

SBT believes that with the support of a large number of willing donors, patrons, sponsors and supporters they can bring smile to many more faces and nurture countless more dreams as they have been doing for the past 25 years. The trust encourages the donors and sponsors to visit the Contact Points and experience for themselves how it functions on a day to day basis. Contributing to SBT by volunteering or even providing sponsorship child’s care, education and future is bound to have a positive effect on contributors.