format_quote Originally Posted by
MuslimInshallah
Assalaamu alaikum,
Wa’alaikumsalam, sister MuslimInshallah.
In movies and novels you can find story of a child and an adult who 'thrown' to the street, then meet each other, struggle together to make money and have close relationship like parent and child. But reality is different. Mami behavior that force Rizal to sniff glue indicate that she didn't treat Rizal well. Sniff glue give effect like 'fly' that make Rizal not ashamed or hesitate to beg.
Rizal need Mami, but it's because Mami rule a point on the street, collaborated with thugs who responsible for security matter. They got income from children like Rizal who must share their income. If Rizal didn't want to share his income he would not allowed to 'work' there. Rizal actually could leave Mami. But where would he go?. Other streets already ruled by other gangs. Might be he would not accepted in another street. And if he was accepted, might be he would get a 'boss' who worse than Mami.
Go to orphanage or govt social institution?. Those children always refuse this offer. In orphanage they would get what they need, but they must live disciplinary like other children, go to school, sleep on time, follow the rule. This is what they don't want. They have been familiar with street life which they can do anything they want.
The first step that must be taken in helping street children is fixing their mentality. This duty need volunteers who can mingle with them and become older brother/sister for those children. Yes, giving love is the key of success for this duty. The volunteers must have ability to give love to make those children change their mentality.
There are people who become volunteers, and they have done many things such as build shelter where street children can play and learn something there, build free school and teach them. Those volunteers work voluntarily without paid, but they really need donation to operate their shelters or school, and to fulfill what those children need. This is the matter which other people can help.
Unfortunately, instead of giving donation through volunteers, people prefer to give money directly on the street. This is actually not good because it will make those children mentality becoming worse. Volunteers have told people about it. Government too. But people regard it as prevention to help the poor. This is what I found from the people's comment in this matter.
What is government contribution to help street children?. They have commission for children protection although due of lack of persons the frontliner are still the volunteers. But unfortunately there is clash with city public order agency which just think to clean up the street. They just force street children to leave the street, often with rude way.
Street children cannot be forced to leave the street, but they should be guided slowly. Actually what the volunteers have done in this matter resulted good result. There are enough much street children who could leave the street and now have normal life. Even few of those volunteers are former of street children too. But, yeah, their number is too few compared with number of street children that they must help.
About Mami. Indeed, people like her have long history of pain and abuse. They were exploited too when they were kid. That's why then they exploit the children when they have become adult. This is like a cycle that always repeated, and this is what makes me concerned.