As in other Indian cities, migrants flock to Hyderabad in search of a better livelihood. The communities that are forced to migrate the most are the most marginalized, which also includes the often-unnoticed groups of children, who eke out their living on the streets.

A class in progress at our shelter.

Malini inspecting school work.

We have shelters around the city providing free education, care, vocational training and job placement, all made possible by contributions from the local community.

Tara, a foreign student, spending time with the street kids.

Mohammed, an Arab student, takes a keen interest in the street children.

Our efforts on behalf of these kids is focused on weekly rehabilitation workshops, counseling, home placement, vocational training and job placement.

A software engineer & a dentist visit our shelter to spend time with the children.

Children show Tara school work at the street children shelter.

Children who are identified soon after they land on the streets and have not yet been initiated to substance abuse, or undergone traumatic experiences such as sexual or physical abuse are more easily motivated. If we can reach these children at this stage, and get information about their home, we arrange for them to be sent or escorted to their parents, or the parents are informed of their whereabouts so they can take them back. On an average monthly basis we are able to home place around 50 children.

FSF also conducts a course designed by the child welfare and education department of the government known as the Bridge Course whereby children who are orphaned and/or children whose family atmosphere is not congenial are motivated through non-formal education. We raise funds to help sponsor their education so that the child can go to a regular school without any stigmatization or labels that he is a street child.

Street children at a sports meet.

Children at a community event.

Besides all the educational coaching and organizing, we love to see these children smile, and often arrange outings and event “just for fun” throughout the year.