1.2 Characteristics
The nature of street children is slightly different as compared to other children. For example, they trust each other very much, but they don’t trust or want to mingle with strangers. Once they trust someone, the trust is unbreakable. They open their heart to the person they trust and do not hesitate to share with them the good and bad things about their daily lives. At first, they may seem introvert, but once you get talking to them, you will find them very friendly. But they might not reciprocate the same level of dedication you have for them. In spite of your frankness, they might still try to take advantage of you. That is why things like your money and belongings going missing become normal when street children enter your life. But there will come a day when they will get tired of street life and will want to get involved in a noble cause. If they get your support, they will quit street life and become good citizens. As part of our budgeted program, when we went looking for street children, we found that some had chosen a good path while others had returned to the streets after being fed up of people’s selfish attitude.
Street children spend more money as compared to other children. Many Nepali families must wait for special festivals before they can afford to eat meat. But street children do not eat their food without meat. This might come as a surprise, but it is a fact. If they have enough money with them, all they want to buy is meat. It is their habit to watch movies almost every day and to keep eating at frequent intervals. They collect waste plastic to make a living, and they seldom fall ill. Their immunization power is strong, and because they eat food enriched with vitamin, they are often in good health.
Street children wish to earn money even after they quit street life. This is so because they are used to earning during street life. They don’t mind working 12-14 hours a day for an income. The first dream of almost every street child is to become a taxi driver. It is clear to them that they can earn more money by driving taxis. Some of their other dreams include wanting to marry a girl from affluent families and to become a film star. In some cases, they even struggle against class-based discrimination and the State.
The nature of street children is slightly different as compared to other children. For example, they trust each other very much, but they don’t trust or want to mingle with strangers. Once they trust someone, the trust is unbreakable. They open their heart to the person they trust and do not hesitate to share with them the good and bad things about their daily lives. At first, they may seem introvert, but once you get talking to them, you will find them very friendly. But they might not reciprocate the same level of dedication you have for them. In spite of your frankness, they might still try to take advantage of you. That is why things like your money and belongings going missing become normal when street children enter your life. But there will come a day when they will get tired of street life and will want to get involved in a noble cause. If they get your support, they will quit street life and become good citizens. As part of our budgeted program, when we went looking for street children, we found that some had chosen a good path while others had returned to the streets after being fed up of people’s selfish attitude.
Street children spend more money as compared to other children. Many Nepali families must wait for special festivals before they can afford to eat meat. But street children do not eat their food without meat. This might come as a surprise, but it is a fact. If they have enough money with them, all they want to buy is meat. It is their habit to watch movies almost every day and to keep eating at frequent intervals. They collect waste plastic to make a living, and they seldom fall ill. Their immunization power is strong, and because they eat food enriched with vitamin, they are often in good health.
Street children wish to earn money even after they quit street life. This is so because they are used to earning during street life. They don’t mind working 12-14 hours a day for an income. The first dream of almost every street child is to become a taxi driver. It is clear to them that they can earn more money by driving taxis. Some of their other dreams include wanting to marry a girl from affluent families and to become a film star. In some cases, they even struggle against class-based discrimination and the State.
Street children also want to reform themselves. But it takes time. They make mistakes frequently due to bad past habits.