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An Assessment of Children in the Streets of Colombo

Author : De Silva, Harendra and De Silva, Dulan S.

Publisher: The World Health Organisation (WHO)

Place of Publish: Sri Lanka, Colombo

Page Numbers: 43

Acc. No: 2855

Class No: 305.23 DES-SL

Category: Books & Reports

Subjects: Children

Type of Resource: Monograph

Languages: English

This study addresses the problem of children living on the streets of Colombo and its extent, the reasons for the problem along with the push and pulls factors driving it, and the study identifies the appropriate actions that need to be taken to resolve the issue. The objective of the study was to enumerate the street children in the city of Colombo, study their distribution in different areas of the city, map their spread on a computer digitized map and thereafter obtain qualitative data. Improving the life skills and education of these children, protecting them from becoming prey to physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, HIV/AIDs, drugs, alcohol and smoking, is vital if they too are to contribute towards achieving prosperity in the nation. The study implies that the time has come for the public and the government to look into the needs of this vulnerable and deprived group of children provides an essential analysis and assessment that operate as a guideline for the relevant authority to take action.