Life in Street

Street Kid sleeping on Footpath of Sundhara in Rainy Day.

The Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN), conducted a survey of 100 street children in 1990, and claimed that there were 500 such children in Kathmandu (CWIN 1990). In 1993, three years after the first survey, CWIN claimed that this figure had increased by three times and reached 1500 (Pradhan 1993). At the same time, CWIN also claimed that the number of street children nation-wide in Nepal was 5000. 

On today's date, there are hundred of organizations working for street children, many colleges' and schools' practical field work are street children these days. In the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), hundreds of companies provide food-clothes for a day and publish their philanthropy in the headlines of National Newspaper with group pose picture. Many people think that still number of street children is not drastically change as it has to be. There are many hidden reason behind this facts: 

1. Every year around 500 children come to street of Kathmandu from several districts (CWIN, 2006). With this data, total number of street children who have been to street of Kathmandu will be almost 10,000 from 1993-2013. As before we don't find street children in every junction of Kathmandu. There are few place like Koteshwor, Durbar Marg, Pasupati, Basantapur, Mahankal where we find street children these days. Recent survey on 2013 by Center for Child Welfare Board (CCWB) has found total number of children in street of Kathmandu is 793. Number has definitely changed with the time and program of different NGOs but not exactly as expected by common people to whom street kids ask money for food. 

2. The other main reason for not having drastic change is lack of program from government. Government don't have any program for the street children yet. Without the initiatives of government and state concerned authorities it is near to impossible to eradicate street children. 

3. Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has similar and common program for street children. Due to the redundant in the NGOs' programs, children got choice to leave one organization and go into another if social worker don't do according to their wish and demand. 

4. Street children as so attached with major four things - Money, Drugs, Peer Group (Gangs) and Freedom in their life. They always desire to have that, either they are in NGOs centre or in street. NGOs never can provided those things in its center and instead of that along with therapy they provide education, health, food, shelter, clothes etc which is not the priority of street kids.    

5. Lack of stronger family background street children belong to is another problem. Street Children are either re-integrated or rehabilitated. Those who are re-integrated in the family come back to street due the same reason why they came before. NGOs don't have exact project for the street children family to strength them. According to research conducted in Kathmandu District by myself on 2012, it was found that more than 50% who are re-integrated come to street again. They don't come alone but bring other village boys in the street of city. 

Though we are delay but we are not diminish. We may be in wrong way but still we are walking for destiny. If NGOs in collaboration with Government come with effective program for street children within few years we will not find street kids in street. Only thing is we need to collaborate and feel the change in us.

Motivation Letter

Dear Sir / madam,

I, Sagar Gyawali, highly-driven and talented young professional in the field of Social issues seeking a position in the Youth Activist Leadership Council. This position, I feel, will offer opportunities for advancement and growth in my career. I currently hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu.

                 I have worked in the field of social advocacy and counseling in a community and clinical setting. My experience at social centers and treatment facilities has allowed me to build knowledge of physical, emotional and psycho-social needs. 

                                             Furthermore, I have spearheaded case evaluations, psychological profiles and treatment planning for patients and their families under the city's counseling program. My extensive experience includes mitigating the needs of the homeless under the welfare service, handling victims of social needs and monitoring their health treatment. During these experiences, I have learned the importance of strategic planning, policy development while in close collaboration with health care providers, respecting agency regulations to ensure services associated with social care are approved regularly. 

        Besides the experience listed on my enclosed resume, I enjoy working with people and I am known for continually putting forth effort to go beyond expectations when it comes to service, timeliness and accuracy. I am proficient in operating computers, working independently and communicating with a team. I am also encouraged by the possibility of continuing my career, living and working in fields whereby the needs of patients are met. I believe that my variety of skills has prepared me to excel in the field of social activist. I hope to hear from a member of your organization with regards to opportunities for me to excel in. 

Reflecting on my Life

As the tag holder of youth, I always had great ambitions; always seek for bringing change in the society. Always wanted to be different among my peer groups, always wanted to be the superhero, these attitudes motivated me to join this group. Sitting in the class room with so-called privileged group, and the change maker of tomorrow The Social Work students whose voice can fight for other's rights are crying for themselves motivated me. Yes, I have to admit, the girl sitting beside me in my class room, rolls tear of pain every month during her menstruation cycle. I’m not talking about her physical pain because that is what out of my mind being a boy. Her pain and struggle to encounter me when i smile at her is my concern. Being a student of social work if she has such problem to share her pain to me; I never can imagine the condition of those women in rural and conservative society living with it. Sharing about reproductive health is far more than i can imagine. Yes, that pain of those women and girls motivated me to join this group. People rarely feel free to share about their reproductive health issue until and unless they get in any big trouble. I want to create the healthy environment through informal class and awareness so that next my younger sister will never go through that pain.

Mo­reover, HIV/AIDS, I don’t need to say how people perceive People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in our society. Their voice is always unheard in our society so despite of huge funds and programs we are not able to stop the stigma about them in our society. My determination to change the people attitude towards them is motivating factor to join this group. Likewise, in every walk of life while neglecting those issue we are also violating the human rights of those people and groups and that is my major concern.

I may seem more ambitious, flying in the air. Yes, I’m flying because change starts from self. Someone has to be different to make difference. It’s not that i didn’t raise my voice for those people & issue but my single voice loss in air and couldn't reach to the concern people and institution. My desperate search for like minded people like me is my motivation to join this group. Through this group, i will be able find nine more like minded people and also YALC will give the institutional support for us to work more effectively. Moreover, as per the criteria of this group, i think i’m eligible to join this group and make change in the society. Likewise, being frequent user of social networking site it always fascinates me so i believe to use it as the boom for social change and development. At last i will like to quote Oscar Wilde saying "I have nothing to declare except my genius".

Sincerely, 

Sagar Gyawali