Rescue β’ Education β’ Empowerment β’ Advocacy
Celebrating the impact of Februaryβs transformative programs and inspiring initiatives
children attend street outreach
Children rescued and resettled
Preventive interventions conducted
Children in day and boarding school
ππππππππ
With several boys and girls now attending day school, life at the shelter has become bustling and full of new routines. The children rise as early as 4:30 a.m., embarking on a busy morning ritual that includes bathing, ironing uniforms, brushing, and polishing shoes. These tasks, though time, consuming, especially given the shared bathroom facilities help the children gradually adapt to a structured lifestyle and prepare them for the demands of school life. To accommodate this change, the shelter program has undergone thoughtful adjustments. Meals are now prepared earlier, ensuring that the children return from school to a ready meal. Continuous care and supervision remain a top priority, including specialized attention for a child living with epilepsy. While initially unfamiliar, the other children have grown in understanding and empathy, learning how to support one another in new ways.
Living in a communal environment naturally brings disagreements, particularly around shared resources. These challenges are met with consistent, patient dialogue and guidance. The children are encouraged to collaborate, problem solve, and understand the value of respect and community. Over time, this nurturing approach has led to a noticeable improvement in behavior, with children forming friendships, supporting each other, and developing a strong sense of belonging.
While the journey requires patience, it is deeply rewarding to witness the children gain confidence, trust, and security within the shelter. Structured leisure time, like television viewing on Sundays after lunch, provides moments to relax and bond before the weekly evening meeting.
Challenges remain, including a shortage of mattresses, with at least ten children currently sharing beds. Budget constraints have also led to careful adjustments, such as modifications to breakfast and snacks, in order to cover compulsory evening lessons for children in Primary Five, Six, and Seven. Through clear communication, the children are learning to understand and adapt to these necessary changes.
School plays a vital role in the childrenβs rehabilitation. Monday through Friday, they attend school, with Saturday sessions ending by 7:00 p.m. To ensure safety, the shelter pays the school gatekeeper to escort the children back, preventing unnecessary wandering and keeping them secure. While a school van was considered, budget constraints made it unfeasible.
Homework has become an essential tool for discipline and engagement. With more than 30 questions to complete each day, the children remain focused, helping to manage their energy and maintain quiet after school. Evening routines at the shelter reinforce the values and lessons learned during the day, helping children adjust to rules, regulations, and the importance of silence an ongoing process for those transitioning from life on the streets.
Through these structured routines, supportive guidance, and educational engagement, the children are making significant strides in their personal growth. Every day brings new lessons in responsibility, cooperation, and resilience foundations that will guide them toward a brighter, more secure future.
It has been just over two months since the new academic term began. Most of our children joined school a little late, missing only a few weeks of lessons, and we are happy to report that the majority are now fully attending. A few new secondary students are still completing registration and settling fees, but they are catching up steadily.
Our senior students have shown great dedication and resilience. Senior Four students performed exceptionally well in their exams, with some choosing to pursue skills training programs to build practical careers. Senior Six students also did admirably, and those needing extra support, particularly in mathematics, are receiving additional help. Four children repeated their classes to strengthen their English skills, and they are now progressing with confidence.
Partial payments toward school fees have helped our children continue their studies, although challenges remain, especially with the cost of uniforms and materials. University students have received partial payments, with the remaining balances planned to be cleared before exams as required by the school or university.
This term, three boys were unable to join boarding school due to an unexpected change in exam fee deadlines, which added financial pressure. Despite this, our operations continue smoothly, thanks to understanding schools and careful planning a huge portion has been cleared for the different children. The total outstanding balance across all schools currently stands at approximately $3900.
To support learning, all primary children are attending extra evening lessons, reinforcing their classroom education. As we approach the mid-term exams, we will continue closely monitoring each childβs progress to ensure they receive the guidance and support they need to thrive.
It is more than exciting to us,it is deeply rewarding to see children from the most difficult circumstances dare to dream and work hard to achieve those dreams. And beyond that, seeing them dressed in uniforms, filled with unimaginable hope and ambition, inspires us to do even more. We understand the power of belief, because we have seen firsthand what happens when someone believes in a child and the incredible outcomes that belief has produced over the years.
Children gathered around Hajara as she spoke with them, collecting information about their families and villages in preparation for upcoming visits, with the goal of resettling them.