how+you+can+help+street+children

**__ How you can help __** By:Carolyn Caggia

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Street children can be found in every large city around the world. The number of street children could be as high as 150 million, as estimated by UNICEF (Street Children). These street children are at high risk for a variety of mental and physical health problems. They are often victims of violence and abuse from gangs, the police, and the general public. They are often impoverished, illiterate, and susceptible to substance abuse, drug trafficking, and participation in the sex industry. It is clear how hard street children have it, but what can you possibly do to help them?

 Street children have rights as human beings and deserve our time and help. They need our support and voice.
 * Simply feeling sorry for them isn’t going to cut it. Knowing your facts will, though. A greater understanding for street children and how they live can help you to help them. Raising awareness is important because these children are misunderstood- they are abused or ignored by the general public due to the false belief that these children are thieves, dirty, contagious, dangerous, etc.
 * Giving money or gifts directly to the street children is not always a good idea. If you give a child money, as soon as you walk away he could be attacked by other children and the money stolen. Also, giving gifts like pens may teach children that tourists are walking gift dispensers, also breeding materialism. For more information on giving things to children directly, please visit this link.
 * Donate money or supplies to organizations that help street children. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is a good one to donate to. UNICEF is an organization that supports children worldwide and seeks to eliminate poverty, malnutrition, abuse, sickness, and illiteracy. Look around on the internet for any organizations that accept donations to help street children.
 * Donate your time and volunteer. To start you could head to your local religious center or search for directories of outreach programs. Lots of organizations are looking for capable and committed volunteers to help with campaigning, funding, and management. You can also get some one-on-one time with the kids themselves.
 * Participate in fundraisers that help street children or the poor.
 *  Spread the word. Tell others about street children and the lives they live.

 

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