A LIFE WITHOUT BASIC SERVICE

"street children say"

JEREMY SOUTHON PRALHAD DHAKAL

Sath-Sath 2003

Save the Children UK, Nepal

Prepared by Jeremy Southon Pralhad Dhakal Research Team Jeremy Southon Pralhad Dhakal Tirtha Raj Tripathi Child Researchers Arjun Bablu Jayram Prem Saila Shankar Som Sundar Sunita Sunnil

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BACKGROUND PART ONE RESEARCH PROCESS METHOD LESSONS LEARNT OBJECTIVITY PART TWO CHILDRENS VOICES INDIVIDUAL VOICES SPEAKING TOGETHER CASE STUDIES: OLDER YOUTH DRAWING CONCLUSIONS PART THREE - ANALYSIS KEY FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS

THANKS TO To the children who took on the role of researchers committing their time and energy to improve the situation of street children. We hope that the research can realise its objectives. To all those children who participated freely in interviews and discussions. Many were inspired by the objective of the research and we hope that we have represented their views faithfully. To colleagues at Sathsath for their support: Rajkumar Tripathi for his hard work and patience; Alex Sutton for reviewing and editing the report; and Biso Bajracharya and Suchita Shah for their wide-ranging support. To our colleagues at Save the Children for their support: Simon Mollison and Jasmine Rajbhandary for initiating and guiding the project; Seira Tamang for her advice and input on the research process; and Shiva Poudel for his support in workshops.

BACKGROUND Street children are a highly visible reminder of the failings of society and as such provoke strong reactions. The issue of street children became a popular focus of NGOs in the early 1990s and has since grown in popularity. In Kathmandu there are numerous organisations and local associations working with an estimated fifteen hundred street children (three hundred of whom are living on the street). However there has been little notable change in street childrens lives, situation and numbers. The dominant interpretation of street children is that of passive victims and deviants. Interventions are therefore designed to rescue or remove children from the street and to socialise them into mainstream society. Street children are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse however street life also offers children access to income and control over day-today decision-making. For many, organisations are an integral part of street life not a way out. Therefore understanding street children as passive victims fails to address the complexity of their situation. In not recognising the opportunities as well as the problems of street life, organisations have been unsuccessful in providing viable alternatives. The way we perceive street children dictates our response to them. The aim of this study has been to gain an understanding of street childrens perspectives of their own situation to encourage more appropriate and effective interventions. Centrally organising this project were three assumptions. Firstly, that there is a significant gap between organisations perception of their services and programmes and their target groups perceptions of them. Secondly, children are in the best position to assess services and programmes designed for their benefit. And lastly, children are capable of making such an assessment on the basis of research that they have conducted themselves. This study builds on the learning of Street Diary (Save the Children UK, 2001), giving the opportunity for a group of children to represent their own analysis of their situation. It examines the human and emotional dimension of life on the street. This is not a statistical or quantitative research but is representative of the feelings of children living on the street about their lives and organisations working with them. Some of the issues we looked to include when planning this research were: What are street childrens views on existing service provision? What is the role of these services within their lives? Do street children differentiate between welfare provision (food, clothing, medical support) and programmes aimed at personal development (NFE, vocational training, empowerment)? How and why? If differentiated, to which do they accord priority? How important do street children view the role of their own participation within organisations working for/with them? Do street children have specific ideas for effective programmes? How do street children view their relationship with organisations working for/with them? Do children use organisations for particular resources and/or do they feel a genuine investment in certain programmes? Do street children have loyalties to particular staff, mentors or organisations?

Over eighty children and youth were involved over a period of six months. Ten child researchers conducted over fifty interviews, forty children were involved in focus group discussions, and fourteen children and youth were involved in an analysis workshop.

What brings together the boys and girls involved is that their diverse lives are primarily defined in terms of their relationship to the street, whether ragpicking, begging or working as a tempo conductor. All children involved in the research were living and/or working on the street. At the time of the research none were staying in hostels or residential services. All children involved were explained the objectives of the study and chose freely to participate without remuneration, working to improve their own situation. We have endeavoured to present the childrens own views, opinions and analysis as clearly and accurately as possible. This final report has been presented back to the childrens research team for their approval.

PART ONE RESEARCH PROCESS METHODOLOGY The research was designed by a research team from Sathsath and Save the Children UK. Our methodology was based on the principle that as far as practically possible the research should be conducted and analysed by street children themselves. The research design acted as a base which the children could work from and which could be adapted according to needs. The child researchers participated in a two-day preparation workshop in which they were facilitated to examine their own experience. This formed the basis from which the team could conduct the research with their friends. SELECTION: Finding Motivated Researchers (November 2002) Six core areas were identified to select child researchers. These areas were chosen to cover Kathmandu: Baneswor, Koteswor, Balaju, Kalimati, Gausala, and Pulchowk. The criteria for selection of researcher were that the children should: Be between thirteen and eighteen years of age Be motivated Be able to make a commitment for the duration of the research Have a variety of experience (work, lifestyle, NGOs etc.) Include two girls to represent the proportion of girl street children.

In each area we explained why were undertaking the project to children using informal discussion on their experiences of NGOs to introduce the topic. All those we spoke to had a strong belief in the research aims, and even if not wanting to be personally involved as a researcher, all felt it very important that someone from their group should be involved. According to the criteria, we then selected one motivated person with whom we spoke in more detail about the research, explaining the seen and unseen benefits. In some cases this involved a series of visits reiterating the research objective and process. This participant was then asked to choose a suitable partner from his/her area to participate. There was one girl living on the street in the areas we had selected. She was motivated to be involved in the research and was asked to find another girl to join her. However, girls that she knew were either not old enough to meaningfully participate, no longer on the street but working in restaurants, and or unable to commit time to the project. The researchers were brought together to meet each other, discuss the research objectives and process in detail, and obtain the informed consent of all the participants. The key theme was that the research would examine the organisations and services that had been established in their name. It was made clear that participants would not receive remuneration for being involved, but only food and transport on the days they worked. It was made clear that at the end of the project a report with their work and photos would be produced and widely disseminated, and they would be expected to talk about their work. After this meeting two children from Pulchowk decided not to participate in the project.

TRAINING: Looking at our own experience (December 2002) A two-day workshop was held with the participants to prepare them for the research. The basis for the training was the lives and experience of the researchers themselves. Given the age and educational experience of the participants (and the fact that we wanted all to be involved) we decided to approach the research by modelling with the group a process that they could then use on their friends during the research. The process was based on a series of picture-based tools (which were suitable for nonliterate participants) focused on their experience and pusheding them to analyse this. The tools included areas such as: known organisations/NGOs and assessment, short-term and long-term needs, prioritising needs, and personal relations. Although these tools were not all replicated by the children during their fieldwork they acted as a reference point for issues to be included in interviews and discussions. Individual interviews (December 2002-March 2003) During a period of two months the child researchers conducted interviews with children on the street. Accompanied by a member of the research team from Sathsath, each child researcher was responsible for targeting his/her respondents. Fifty children, from eight to nineteen years old, were interviewed in the following areas: Chabil, Jawalakhel, Anamnagar, Kalimati, New Road, Hanumandhoka, Dallu, New Bus Park, Durbar Marg, Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Ekantakuna. The researchers began by using the tools from their training, finding which they were most comfortable with and finally developing their own interview style. All the interviews were recorded. Focus Group Discussions (April-May 2003) The original research concept had been that the child researchers would be conduct focus group discussions in the areas where they stayed. However given the short training period the participants did not feel confident to do this and faced problems of other children joking and teasing. A limited number of focus-group discussions were therefore facilitated by the research team based on tools developed for training in four areas (Kalimati, Pulchowk, Bir Hospital and Anamnagar) involving a total of approximately thirty children. These discussions were undertaken to supplement the child researchers individual interviews and for further research in areas where a limited number of interviews had been conducted. Case Studies of Former Street Children (April 2003) It was decided that for the final analysis workshop former street children would also be invited to bring a different perspective during discussion. In preparation the support team conducted interviews with two former street children to support in designing the analysis workshop. Analysis Workshop (May 2003) A one-day workshop was conducted in May 2003 with the aim of bringing together the information collected during the research process and drawing together conclusions.

All the child researchers were invited to workshop, although by this stage some participants had moved on and were unable to be located. Five of the original research team were present as well as other children who had been invited during focus-group discussions and three former street children. A total of fourteen children were involved, including two girls. The focus of the workshop was on defining the problems and needs of street children, and prioritising those that needed to be addressed by organisations. Producing a Report (July 2003) A research report was written up by the research team and presented back to the research team for their approval. One participant was trained and supported to take photos about street life for the report.

LESSONS LEARNT: Challenges and Changes This is the first research project that we have initiated promoting the participation of street children as researchers. As such an important element has been our learning from the research process itself. What was highlighted throughout was that street children are motivated to change and improve their situation. During the initial selection the response we got from children was extremely positive and throughout the duration of the research, children gave their time because they believed in what they were doing. Our challenge was to translate this interest and motivation into a project producing valuable findings. Given the nature of street life this was challenging and was limited by several factors: Street children are highly mobile and over the research period of six months many changed areas and some visited home. Childrens mobility, the result of push and pull factors, made it difficult to ensure participation for the duration of the project. All the children involved in the project were living independently and providing for themselves. Although they were given meals during their research work, the children were not remunerated. This limited the time that they could give as they continued to need to work regularly. Logistically it was difficult to maintain regular meetings. Street children would need regular reminders of meetings and was not possible on a regular basis as the children were located all over Kathmandu and were difficult to find. We also needed to provide the participants with an allowance for transportation given the distances involved. Although we gave money in advance this was either spent before it was needed or stolen. Maintaining interest over a long period of time was difficult. Although the participants were motivated, many felt that the research had been completed and they had collected the required information, when this needed to be cross checked and validated. While it was possible to maintain the motivation of most of the child researchers it was difficult to develop a team spirit. Many of the children did not know each other and were of different ages and different areas or groups. Although the children were happy to work and discuss together during workshops and meetings outside of this they wanted to work individually or with friends.

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To work with these factors limiting our ability to create an independent research team we had to be flexible and adapt our approach. This meant fewer regular meetings with the childrens research team and child researchers working more independently or in small groups co-ordinated by us. The difficulties in creating this research team exacerbated constraints to the level of childrens participation in the research. Challenges that children faced during the research: The children had limited confidence in their ability to do the research. This was continuously reinforced by peoples perceptions of them. The researchers found it difficult to be taken seriously by their friends and peers. Due to this the children themselves were unable to conduct the group discussion and focused on individual interviews instead. In this they were accompanied by a member of the research team. Due to the problem of childrens mobility focus group discussions had to be completed in one sitting. This had to be limited to a maximum of ninety minutes because of childrens other commitments. In the discussions all children participated freely and discussed things at length. Therefore given the timing we had to limit the number of issues that we covered. The children found some of the issues conceptually difficult to understand. For example we had aimed to exam ine through the research to what extent children differentiated between short (welfare) and long-term (developmental) support. Abstractly the children researchers found this concept difficult to understand or to discuss during interviews. Given these factors, many of which had been anticipated, the research adapted and developed according to the needs of the research and the researchers. Our initial intention had always been to be flexible and work to involve the children as much as possible in the research, even given the challenges. The nature of the research as human and qualitative meant that this would not be a formal process. We believed strongly in the importance of the children doing as much as possible themselves and that this is the value of this study.

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OBJECTIVITY As an organisation working with street children we were aware of the challenges of conducting an objective research examining childrens assessment of services provided for them. This is of particular significance as the research aims to encourage more appropriate and effective programming and interventions. However we believed that this research helping street children to be heard was urgently needed and decided to undertake it with the support of Save the Children UK. We also felt that we could build on existing trust with street children in Kathmandu to build relationships with other children examining sensitive issues in a meaningful way. Our role in the research team and presence during information collection would undoubtedly influence the research and we took action to limit this influence: 1. More than a quarter of the researchers were selected from an area where Save the Children UK had a good relationship with street children but where Sathsath was not known. 2. The orientation and training of the child researchers was facilitated by Save the Children UK and none of the child researchers meetings were held at Sathsath. 3. The child researchers were thoroughly familiarised with the constructive aims of the project. 4. As many of the individual interviews as possible were conducted without the presence of a member of the research team, although the opportunities to do so were limited as the child researchers felt that they needed the support. 5. Focus Group Discussions although initially dealing with specific organisations were used to draw out general recommendations and not focus on individual organisations. 6. It was made clear in all interviews and discussions the aims of the research and that the identity of respondents would remain confidential. 7. The criteria for including quotations in this report is that they must be constructive. All points should have evidence and learning that can be drawn from them and useful to organisations working with children. 8. We have not included the names of organisations referred to. Again this is to ensure that the points made can be taken constructively by all organisations. What is highlighted in the research is that children had good and bad points to say about all the organisations referred to. The aim of the research is to encourage organisations working with street children to reflect on what is important for street children and to draw constructive criticism and recommendations to improve programming. We hope this to be the start of a process in which organisations (including Sathsath) begin to revisit their objectives, approaches and most importantly motivations in their work with street children. Many began as groups of activists working for street children and have since grown into organisations. It is important that we all reflect on what we have gained and lost in this development.

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PART TWO CHILDRENS VOICES INDIVIDUAL VOICES: Interviews conducted by child researchers 10 children interviewing 49 children in 12 areas of Kathmandu After identifying the areas they would each cover the child researchers began to target respondents and conduct interviews. Methods varied from organising a meeting in advance with their peers to wandering about a selected area and conducting random interviews. Working individually or in pairs and accompanied by a member of the research support team the research team conducted interviews with 49 children in 12 areas of Kathmandu. Some Examples of Questions What work do you do? How do you earn on the street? What organisations do you know? Who helps you when you have problems? What do like about them and what dont you like about them? What organisations have you stayed in? Why did you leave? Which organisations do you use and which dont you use? Why? Who is close to you someone you can trust, someone you can rely on? Are individuals in organisations who you feel close to? What do you want to do in the future? What support do you need? LIFE ON THE STREET I work collecting plastic to feed myself. Its enough to eat and thats about it. (Kalimati, 14 years old) If luck favours a person then they are good, if not they become a khate. (Chhabil, 18) People who judge us and scold us are bad. (Rani Pokhari, 12 years old) Organisation B is for eating, organisation C is for sleeping, and organisation D is for playing. (Annapurna, 8 years old) Organisations should help us in our daily life. They should all unite and help us together by opening a small place for all to sleep and eat and have their rights. They should all unite to make a small good organisation for us and not for the sirs. For now, I want to freely wander like the other lads. (Kalimati, 15 years old) I like the staff in organisation D who help us to follow a good path. I like people who praise us and tell us good things. (Baneswor, 12 years old) At the moment I collect plastics and sometimes beg, sometimes steal (when older I will carry a khukuri [laugh]) I earn money but I do not save any. I spend it all. Sometimes I take drugs like glue. (Baneswor, 14 years old)

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I dont go to any organisations now because I do not have time from my work. I used to stay in organisation C which I liked but they threw me out for no reason. I will study later, now is not the right time. I left home because of a fight with friends. I will go back one day. At the moment I dont want to stay in a hostel or with my family. (New Road, 14 years old) WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ORGANISATIONS I like organisation D very much. They always set a time and come here and wake us up if we are asleep. Other organisations take you to their centre for no reason or scold and bully us. I like organisation D because they always keep their promises. They recognise that games and enjoyment are important for us. They stay and eat together with us as brothers. But, there is a long process for training. I dont know when it will be available. I dont have confidence. (New Bus Park, 15) In organisation D all the staff love and care for us. This organisation is the closest thing to me. Organisation A only lets good children stay. They only let small and ill children stay. Organisation F have invited me but I havent been yet. (Maiti Devi, 14 years old) Organisation D is very good because it sometimes gives food, and gives clothes each year. It gives us medicine and helps us when we are in trouble. (Baneswor, 13 years old) Theres organisation E. They help orphans. The best thing there is the football training. The staff there are very good. They help you follow a good path. One staff in particular has helped me on a personal basis. I have nothing bad to say about that organisation. I was thrown out for sniffing glue and giving glue to friends. (Jawalakhel, 15) Ive been to organisations E, C, D and A. Organisation D I like most. They dont do much but I like it there. The best thing is to play there. I dont like the staff of other places and I dont like the other organisations. (Baneswor, 13) I like organisation D because they help with the police and in times of hunger. For older children they help with training and work. I have been made bhai by one of the staff and he helps me. I dont like organisation C where you cant eat and the older boys beat us. In organisation A I was beaten by the staff for no reason. (New Road, 13 years old) I know organisations A, B, C and D. But only like organisation D. There I like all the staff. They give help and support when we need it and help us with work. (Kalimati, 12 years old) Organisation D I like. The have helped me a lot in the past. They come and see children in the streets and look after them very well. They take proper care of street children and give them medicine when needed. I like one staff there. He treats me like his own brother and helps anyhow he can. (Kalimati, 15 years old)

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I like organisation D because I can play there and eat khaja. The staff are very friendly and are easy to be with. I can go to that place anytime. I love all the staff there. (Baneswor, 14 years old) WHAT I DONT LIKE ABOUT ORGANISATIONS I left organisation C because the older children stole our money and used to threaten us. In organisation A, I loved the teachers but I left as I was being forced to return home. (Kalimati, 14) I left a hostel in organisation A because I could not smoke cigarettes or take glue there. (New Road, 11 years old) I left the hostel of organisation C because I was beaten by the older children and teachers. (Jawalakhel, 15 years old) I do not like many organisation, especially where they dont let you smoke. Organisation A is the worst you are beaten there for doing wrong and also when you do not do wrong. (New Road, 16 years old) I left a hostel in organisation A because I didnt want to cut my hair. Apart from that I liked everything in that organisation. (Chhabil, 18 years old) There is a local group which gives us rice but they always scold us even when eating rice! (Baneswor, 12 years old) I left the hostel in organisation A because the rice and vegetables were not good. I can earn enough outside to look after myself. The organisation is good though when you have medical problems. I left organisation C because I was beaten for sniffing glue. I dont like to stay in any organisations because of the older children who bully and beat us. (Kalimati, 14 years old) I was staying in one hostel with organisation A which was very good. Then they sent me home and I ran away again. There is not enough food at home and that is why I left the first time as well. (Kalimati, 14 years old) MY FUTURE Rag-picking is good for now but not for my whole life. O rganisations should help us live independently. I believe organisation D may help me in the future. They want to help but I dont know if they will able to or not. (Kalimati, 14 years old) Organisation C lets us sleep but they should feed us as well. (Annapurna, 12 years old) We can work at night rag-picking to earn money. In the afternoon we need to learn and be trained for good work. Then we can stand on our own feet and wont be khate.

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I have told organisations so many times but nothing has happened. Other organisations I have not seen or gone to on my own. They have not called me either. (Kalimati, 17) I sleep at home at night but work as a tempo conductor in the day. In the future I want to work as a peon or a driver. I want to save money in a place I can trust, to do business in the future. (Chabahil, 12 years old) Ive only stayed at organisation D. I know of other organisations but Ive never been there. I dont know where they are. (Baneswor) I was beaten at organisation A by older boys. Organisation D help with the police and in emergencies but I only go sometimes because I have to work. (Kalimati, 13) I love the staff at organisation D, they called us to festivals and give prizes for competitions. They say Namascar when they meet us. (Baneswor, 14)

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SPEAKING TOGETHER: Discussions facilitated by Research Team Focus group discussions in 4 areas of Kathmandu involving about 25 children Discussions were facilitated by a member of the Research Team with children from four areas: Kalimati, Pulchowk, Bir Hospital and Anamnagar. These one hour discussion were based on some of the tools we had developed for the training workshop exploring childrens priority needs and their assessment of the organisations they had visited. The main consensus points from the discussions appear here paraphrased, retaining the feeling and manner in which they were expressed as far as possible. They are supported by quotations where relevant. We need LOVE and we want this from the people working with us. Love is shown in the way people treat us, how often they come to visit, and the support they give us. We love and respect those individuals and organisations that love and respect us and want guidance from them. We dont like organisations which only give attention and love to new children. We dont like organisations where they only care about new children and the older children are bullies. FGD Anamnagar I have a dai at the scrap centre who cares for us and looks out for us when we have problems. FGD Pulchowk At that organisation they have stopped loving us. Since one sir left we dont go there anymore. FGD Bir Hospital We need TRAINING to develop our skills and support to find EMPLOYMENT. This is essential for us to leave the street and stand on our own feet. We dont like organisations which make EMPTY PROMISES. We need to STUDY for our development. This means practical study, focusing on reading, writing, language and maths. We need MEDICAL support to make sure we are healthy. We need somewhere to go when we are ill. We need BASIC FACILITIES that we cannot find easily on the street somewhere to wash ourselves and our clothes, somewhere to play, and somewhere to relax. We need help to VISIT or RETURN HOME when we are ready to. We need LOANS to support us in emergencies and also to support us to start business so we can earn for ourselves. We like the opportunity to have TIME AWAY from the street. To stay somewhere nice to play and discuss our life. We like to go and stay away somewhere for a few days where we can relax, play, and talk. FGD Kalimati

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We want a PLACE TO STAY even when we are older than sixteen. We dont like organisation where older boys and staff BULLY us. We dont like organisations where we are BEATEN for no reason. We dont like centres where our things are STOLEN by other children. We dont like organisation which take all our FREEDOM so we cant go outside. We dont like organisations where we have to stay without our FRIENDS. Its difficult to stay in hostels as you are beaten and the older boys bully you. FGD Anamnagar

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CASE STUDIES: Older Street Youth

CASE STUDY: LOOKING BACK (Bijay Sherpa, 18 years old) I left the street when I met some sherpas and began to start work in trekking as a porter, a cook and a guide. I have not taken any support from organisations for training, work or study. I have not studied at school, but I as long as you have a skill you can get work. Now I am back with my family in Kathmandu and things are going well. We need to make sure that new children coming to the street understand they will go bad on the street. It is difficult though as they have no experience or wisdom as they are young. We must remind them that organisations are for them. Organisations must understand what childrens own opinions are about what they want to do. When someone starts work or training it becomes their own responsibility if they are successful or not. It is our own fault that we return to the street, we follow our own mind for freedom and develop a habit to having money, therefore will always return to the street for these things. The biggest problem is being called khate. We are seen as thieves and we have a big problem with police harassment they think all street children are pickpockets and arrest us for no reason. The main people who call us khate are thulo manche but if they think in that way they themselves are khate. We are the ones cleaning and recycling the rubbish they themselves throw on the street. Organisations must understand what childrens own opinions are about what they want to do. When someone starts work or training it becomes their own responsibility if they are successful or not.

I am not ashamed to say that I worked on the street. Street children are not khate, they are also people. If you cut them blood comes. If you cut us blood comes. People do continually look at street children as the worst, but it is not only street children who use drugs. There are the same problems with school children as well.. Street children are those who have come to the street because of poverty and taken responsibility for themselves. CASE STUDY: LEAVING THE STREET (Narayan Shrestha, 18 years old) I came to the street after running away from a hotel I was working in. I was beaten there and not paid and one day ran away. I then met a rag-picking boy and started to work with him. I went to one organisation who planned to send me home but I did not want to go. So they gave me carpentry training for six months and I went to earn and live on my own. I started work but I had not had enough training and could not earn enough so I went to the streets again. For the last two years I have had regular work collecting We cannot stay because household waste in a rickshaw, earning about three we need more freedom. thousand rupees a month. Recently I left this work and am staying on the street again. It is not easy collecting rubbish. For my future, I am hoping to get good training, to learn well and not come to the street again. I will manage my own life. The problems we have faced on the street are from people stealing from us, the weather, and the police arresting us for no reason. Sometimes we dont eat. Now I dont have problems from older youth beating or stealing from me. But I still have a lot problems from the police. As street children we cant stay in organisations because of our habits. We cant follow the rules and have problems with cigarettes and drugs. It is our own fault we cannot stay because we need more freedom. A lot of children like the street and then a lot have not been able to receive training to get out. If you stay on the street you are a khate which is not good. We should take the opportunities from organisations to take work or to return home.

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DRAWING CONCLUSIONS: Childrens Analysis Workshop With the completion of interviews and discussions a workshop was planned with the childrens research team and other street children participants to draw together conclusions. All the original research team was invited to workshop, although by this stage some participants had moved on and were unable to be located. Five of the original research team were present as well as other children who had been invited during focusgroup discussions and three former street children. A total of fourteen children were involved, including two girls. It was not possible for the Childrens Research team to examine all the information collected or for them to listen to all the recordings of interviews and discussions. The responsibility was with the child researchers and research support members to ensure that all the issues that had been raised by street children during the research were represented. The main points from discussion are paraphrased. OUR MAIN PROBLEMS which need to be addressed SOCIETY Our biggest problem is the way society sees us, the way we are treated and scolded. It is not good for people to call us khate. We are not allowed into places and are thrown out of others. We are cheated by shops and businesses and if we work we are often not paid. Girls on the street are harassed by many people. We go a long way to collect scrap, then when we come back we take it to the scrap centre. There the owner weighs it and cheats us by giving us less money than its worth. LOVE It is difficult for us to get love on the street. We have love from our friends and from some organisations, especially staff who have made us their brother. Only if you work well will you get love. They come to us on the street, are caring and take us back to their organisation. When we get there they dont care anymore, beat us, and even if you go late they through you out. TRAINING We need good training to change our situation and get good work. There are a few organisations which provide training. The problem is training is only available to few. There are many people waiting for training and then there is a selection process. If you wait and show your commitment it is possible to get training. Organisations give us hope by saying they will give us training, but when we ask they avoid the subject and it never comes. WORK The only work available to us is not good for our future like washing dishes and working on tempos. We need support to find good long-term work. We get some support from organisations. It is still difficult though. People dont give us work because they think we will steal.

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When we look for work no-one gives us any. If we do find any work, its dishwashing and then we dont get paid. Any glasses we break are held against us. STUDY We need opportunities to study and develop ourselves. Education is available from organisations but it is like for small children in school. Some places are too far to go regularly and then if you miss one day you are beaten. Generally for study you have to stay in a hostel. POLICE The police can be good and bad. The problems we have are when we are arrested for no reason and accused of being thieves or pickpockets. They say black is white and white is black. In one area we were told not to stay there otherwise we would be locked up for three days if the police saw us. Sometimes the police are drunk and come and harass us. They do this especially for girls and talk about marrying them. We get some help but only from one or two organisations and individuals. When we are sleeping at night the police come and take us to the station and lock us up. When they let us out if we ask for the money we had with us, they say What money? Get out of here. PRESS It is a big problem when journalists come and take our photos without asking us and then print it in the newspaper. Then our family finds out we are living on the street. It is important when we go back home that they do not think of us as khate. Then they can also put our photos with bad writing about street children and people will think it is us. Journalists say they wont print our photo in the newspaper, but the next day they print it. They also come and take photos when we are sleeping.

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PART THREE ANALYSIS KEY FINDINGS ORGANISATIONS AS PART OF STREET LIFE Organisations are very much seen as a part of street life and not as a way out. Different organisations are used for different services food, shelter, medical treatment, emergency support, clothes, shelter, and recreational facilities. It is these open-access services, supporting their independent living, which were positively assessed by children. The children also highlighted a need for developmental support, including training and basic education, based within street life and not restricted to hostels. Street children are living an independent life nurtured and developed on the street. However while centres and services may be an integral part of street life for children, that has not been the intention of organisations working with street children. Hence outreach work to recruit children to shelters, shelters acting as feeders for hostels, and training being linked to hostels. Street children will continue to use services offered but unless organisations learn to work in the street environment they will have no impact on the important development stage of a significant number of children living on the street. AWARENESS OF ORGANISATIONS and PROGRAMMES Although children were aware of many organisations (80% of children referring to two or more organisations) there were discrepancies apparent between what organisations offer and what children refer to. Much of the childrens information was based on personal experience and anecdotal information from friends. Reputation played a large part in childrens opinion about organisations. If one of their friends had been beaten or told them an organisation was bad, this would be accepted as fact. A significant number of children referred to a number of organisations though it was apparent that they had visited only one or two. The location of organisations, their programmes and outreach work affected how much children knew about them in different areas. Some organisations were only known about in their locality while others were known across Kathmandu. Children could identify organisations which provided immediate services such as food, basic healthcare, or washing facilities. However there was little known about other services provided by these organisations such as training. In particular little was known about how to access these programmes. WORKING APPROACH For many, an organisation and its staff had the potential to be the closest thing to them. The attitude of the staff towards the children was very important and their way of dealing with children. Children identified strongly with individual staff at organisations. In one organisation when a key member of staff left there was a clear change: the organisation had stopped loving them and children no longer went there. In the same way one children had loved every aspect of a hostel , but when a new member of staff started who beat them the boy ran away and will only go back when this person leaves. For children, a good organisations is one which loves and respects them. This is evident through simple gestures such as greeting children and sharing festivals and important

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occasions. This organisation makes them feel happy about themselves while providing positive guidance. Children felt that in many places they were misunderstood or their opinions were not listened to. In particular there were many instances of children being sent home when they did not want to return, with the result of the children running away from a hostel or returning to the street after they had been taken home. Corporal punishment and bullying was a constant factor in childrens decision to use organisations. STREET LIFE AS TRANSITIONAL The street is seen as a transitional period which children will leave as they became older. To make this transition they require guidance to follow a good path and support for training and employment to be able to stand on their own feet. For younger children (below 15 years) this transition was very much one of the future when they would be old enough. In the meantime street life was a way of surviving until they were able to begin to change their life and access training and good employment opportunities. Street life was seen as a better and more enjoyable option than return to family or staying in an institution, even though children are acutely aware of the shortcomings of street life in the long-term. EDUCATION and TRAINING Children consistently prioritised, non-formal education, skills and training over formal education. Children find it difficult to attend regularly and for long classes. This is due to their lifestyle, mobility and work commitments. Those education programmes that were available were too far for children to attend daily. Youth often felt patronised by the approach used in education programmes and felt that they were not relevant to them. Most importantly children and youth want to be provided with training and employment opportunities when they are ready. Although many spoke of training available in organisations very few knew of individuals who had received training. Due to this they had no peer role models to encourage them and had little awareness of what training is available and how to access it. STREET CHILDREN and SOCIETY One of the key problems identified by children is the way society sees and treats them. As khate, street children are used as scapegoats for ills in society such as crime and drugs. Being labelled as khate affects children in their day-to-day lives and is one of the greatest determinants of their future. It affects their self-esteem, their ability to access services and their ability to find good employment. On the street, children have access to the informal work but they want to access real employment opportunities. As street children become older and attempt to access their social and economic rights it is very difficult to shed this khate identity. Street children feel cheated by mainstream society. They are not permitted access to services, are charged more in shops, and are not paid for work they have done. In particular they feel exploited by the media who use them without consent.

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PUBLIC-FUNDED SERVICES Street children are not receiving equal open access to public services. In particular, children always turn to an organisation to deal with medical problems and other emergencies. This reflects the general social attitude towards street children made apparent on the few occasions they have approached a public service for help. In the same way local police hostility towards street children have made them unapproachable in times of need. SHELTER and FOOD Many children who wanted to stay in hostels were unable to due to restrictions, such as age and home situation. In some cases conditions for admission to a hostel meant first residing in a night shelter which was not popular. In addition, children had to wait indefinitely until a hostel space became available. Night shelters were popular in theory but less so in practice. Due to night working times, children could not stay in a night shelter and earn money at the same time. They therefore felt that shelters must provide food as well as accommodation. PSYCHO-SOCIAL ASPECTS of STREET LIFE There is a significant ambiguity in street childrens understanding of their situation. The dominant image that children held of themselves was that of delinquents or bigreko. Street children have internalised a strong negative image of themselves and believe that they are responsible for their behaviour and for not being able to leave street life. However there is also a strong sense of fatalism that living on the street inevitably leads an individual to be bad. This fatalism removes moral arguments and absolves the individual of responsibility. Many children are therefore blaming themselves for their situation while feeling powerless to change this situation. The way older youth and younger children viewed their situation differed considerably, as made apparent in the case studies. There was a discrepancy between both age groups about the working approach organisations should adopt with street children. Older youth blamed themselves for not having participated in training and other programmes, whereas children saw the fault being with organisations and their programmes. What was clear however from both groups was a need for strong guidance from organisations. CHILDREN YET INDEPENDENT Street children are living in an exceptional situation given their high levels of independence. Much of development is focused at working against dependency but when it comes to children our tendency is to encourage dependence first on our own terms before we can support their independence. The children involved in this study have expressed a strong need for support but not to be made dependent. Street children have access to income and are in control of their day-to-day decision making. They will not accept strict rules, restrictions on their freedom, low standards of service provision, and organisations which do not respect them. These children have a choice and can survive without organisations in fact, street children and youth are acutely aware (from experience) that they cannot rely on organisations for their future.

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RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations have been drawn from this research. These are aimed at organisations working with street-based children and those planning to work with streetbased children. Adopt a rights-based approach to service provision supporting street childrens holistic development

Organisations and staff working with street children must respect them as individuals. They must work with children in a human way. While focusing on results, the overriding interest should always be that of the child. Organisations working with street children should recognise their independence and work against creating dependency. They should adopt a participatory approach to develop a balance between freedom and discipline together with the children. Service-delivery should be integrated as part of a wider process of empowerment and development, not as isolated programmes. Organisations should find ways to spread awareness about themselves and the programmes and services they provide.

Develop a clearly defined working approach and provide comprehensive staff training

Organisations should accept childrens choice to be on the streets and support them to do so in a positive way. Organisations should not reinforce an image that living on the street is bad through programmes whose only definition of success is removal from the street. Organisations need to work within the street environment to achieve a long-term impact. Organisations should have a clear policy regarding corporal punishment and work towards developing more positive mechanisms. Corporal punishment enforces a negative perception of an organisation and discourages children from attending. Staff need adequate training to deal with street children. This will also bring about a change which will be reflected in childrens attitude and behaviour. Front Line Workers should be trained to represent their organisation effectively as they are the face of the organisation for children. For the same reason organisations should work to maintain staff continuity.

Provide relevant education and training for street children and youth with a transparent process

Street children have expressed a strong need for practical education and skills. Organisations should support children to realise themselves in alternative fields according to their capacities and not restrict their approaches to mainstreaming. Children on the street need to be supported with alternative programmes during the time when they are too young for vocational training programmes and employment opportunities. These programmes should support childrens holistic development. Organisations should be clear about what training they can provide and the criteria and process for training. This should be transparent to the children from the outset.

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Bearing in mind the mobility and lifestyle of street children, education programmes should be needs-based and flexible to allow attendance. Organisations should support individuals and groups to become peer role models who can share their experience with other street children. Organisations should have retreats as part of their programmes thus giving street children the opportunity to have time away from the street to reflect on their lives and think about their future.

Avoid isolating street children from society by taking account of the wider social context

Links should be built between street children and public services to guarantee street children equal access and fight discrimination. Direct services should not replace the responsibilities of public services. Organisations working with street children should sensitise society to change the dominant khate image of street children. This includes working against the use of street children as scapegoats in society. Organisations should support street children to reach the top of diverse fields and act as ambassadors and role models. Government/INGOs should work with the media to develop clear guidelines regarding the representation of children and the use of their image.

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PARTICIPANTS INTERVIEWS Maiti Devi/Anamnagar 4 Durbar Marg 4 New Road/Hanumandokha 6 Jawalakhel 2 Kalimati/Dallu 9 Rani Pokhari 1 New Bus Park 2 Putalisadak 2 Baneshwor 9 Chabil 6 Tilganga/Sinamangal 2 Koteshwor/Ekantakuna 2 __________________________ TOTAL 49 Male 49 Female 0 ____________________ TOTAL 49

Up to 10 years 3 11-12 years 11 13-14 years 18 15-16 years 12 17-19 years 5 ____________________ TOTAL 49

FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS Bir Hospital 9 Pulchowk 4 Kalimati 5 Anamnagar 7 __________________________ TOTAL 25 Male 24 Female 1 ____________________ TOTAL 25

ANALYSIS WORKSHOP Kalimati 2 (2)* Pulchowk 2 Bir Hospital 2 (1)* Maiti Devi 3 New Bus Park 1 (1)* Anamnagar 3 Baneshwor 1 (1)* __________________________ TOTAL 14
* Including Childrens Research Team participant.

Male 12 Female 2 ____________________ TOTAL 14 12 16 years 10 above 16 years 4 ____________________ TOTAL 14

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