If pilgrims and visitors to Bodhgaya, the centre of the Bhuddist world did not give money to children they would not beg. What visitors fail to realise is that child begging is a business, exploiting the very children people think they are helping. Anybody who has seen Slumdog Millionaire must be aware of the dangers of giving money in this way to children. This is an initiative of Rescue Junction to rehabilitate these children, and stop this trade, and get these kids back to school .
People First have been working doing groundbreaking work for over 20 years in the Local Area. We have been working with the authorities and others to help raise awareness about the problem of child beggars. This project will identify those children really in need and restore them to school with our support. Those in genuine need will get help from our centre for homeless and street children, Rescue Junction. Those individuals involved in organised begging will be made aware of the consequences,
By support, help assistance and protection we hope that we can provide a better future for the children involved. Community awareness will play a big part in the process. Our Staff are highly trained and skilled in this work and are sensitive to all issues. With our resources at rescue Junction we can offer a real alternative to these children.If any visitor to Bodhgaya is concerned about any child they can phone a toll free number 1098 for an immediate response from our staff.
"I hated begging, I hated even the people who gave us money because they did not really care, just they wanted to feel good themselves.I had to give nearly all the money to my "malik" ( malik means owner). I felt trapped. Now my Malik has gone I am at school, I am happy. This is from a child beggar rescued from begging by the project. Help to reach out to even more children as the season starts here in Bodhgaya and carry on send child beggars back to to school.