Child Aid is a non-governmental organization working exclusively for the protection of children of prostitutes in India. The staggering and growing statistics of sex workers increases each year; there is an immediate need to prevent the children of these sex workers from being forced into the same plight. Child Aid works towards rehabilitating these children with a promise of a decent place in society.

Child Aid primarily aims towards providing decent living quarters for those who require it. In addition to this, we work towards rescuing young girls from red light areas. Our most important objective is to provide education and vocational training to children of sex workers.

Childhood experiences of kids of sex workers

Children of sex workers have little or no facility to obtain any kind of education. Ignorance of mothers itself is a major hindrance to any decent life that these children may otherwise have. Living in red light areas exposes one to threats that are unimaginable and most are unaware of.

These innocent children are forced to grow up far ahead of their actual age. They live in squalor, spending their days in domestic work. Filthy words, physical abuse by employers, strangers sauntering in at night, alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS are all a part of their daily life. Their childhood is far from what one would ever imagine.

Career options for children of sex workers

When a young girl reaches puberty, it is a matter of few months before she is inducted into her new profession. Statistics state that majority of girl children of sex workers are likely to be sex workers themselves. Some of these young girls have already given birth to babies at the tender ages of fourteen and fifteen. The boys will follow their father’s footsteps by working at a garage or other such set-up.

The immediate threat

Child Aid volunteers by working closely with these individuals have recognized a threat, which is as dangerous as the social ostracism they face. The outlook of the sex workers and children is one of desolation and acceptance of their status as social pariahs. Without the hope for a different life, they have learnt to accept their plight. This leads to lack of motivation by parents who refuse to educate their children. This has been a major hurdle for Child Aid to overcome.

What Child Aid works towards

Child Aid works closely with the sex workers in the red light areas of the city. After having laid the groundwork for about seven years now, we have finally come to gain the trust of these individuals. Child Aid has been trying to work towards a better life for these children. We wish to educate them in a manner that will enable them to become a part of the mainstream of society. A childhood of dignity followed with a life of integrity – this is what Child Aid hopes for its children.

Our main projects

Child Aid is still an organization in its budding stages. But are main projects include:

Shelter: We provide immediate night shelter and accommodation for children of sex workers. Young girls being forced into prostitution are rescued to help them find a better life. At our shelter, we aim at complete rehabilitation of the children. From meeting their immediate physical needs to psychosocial rehabilitation, we offer it all.

Medical Facilities: Children and women in red light areas have little or no proper access to medical facilities. Our mobile medical van functions once a week to provide medical care to these individuals. Any serious medical care required includes efforts on our parts to gain medical treatment and facilities from government hospitals.

Education: Child Aid believes in the power of education. We work continuously to encourage children and parents to gain education. Motivated children are sent to schools run by other non-governmental organizations in the city. Very few children have been able to gain access to education at local and government schools.

Training for women: Our young rescued girls are provided with a chance to learn vocational skills. We provide training in the skills of tailoring, computer designs and manufacturing of small electronic parts.

Awareness Programmes: Child Aid has worked towards inculcating a sense of self among the sex workers and their children. It is a battle to alert these individuals of the risks they face but the chance that they still stand. In addition, we run awareness programmes in schools, colleges and at public forums to educate the public about our social cause.