His name is Tariq and when he was just nine years old he ran away from home, leaving behind 4 siblings, his mother, and an abusive father. He proceeded to buy a handful of watches with the 3000 rupees he stole from his dad (the equivalent of about $50 American dollars), and then he traveled 22 hours to Delhi, alone. His goal was to make enough money selling jewelry that he could survive on his own… at nine years old!
Like Tariq, thousands of kids are running away from their homes and coming to cities like Delhi to live on the streets. Some are escaping abusive environments, others dream of becoming Bollywood stars (seriously)… some girls are pregnant and others girls want to rid their family of the burden associated with paying a dowry.
The first night Tariq was in Delhi, all of his possessions were stolen. And from there began the rapid downfall of a young boy. Before long, Tariq was living in the Delhi train station, addicted to drugs, collecting plastic bottles that he'd sell to the recycling center for approximately $1 per day. Thankfully, an organization called the Salaam Baalak Trust found Tariq and helped change his trajectory. Today, Tariq has graduated from high school and is studying at a university level. In the next month, he will find out whether he has won a one-year scholarship to visit the United States. Until then, he spends his time working with the Trust, mentoring young kids who are traveling that dangerous road he once traveled and making money by giving tours to groups like ours. Tariq is a lucky one.
A few facts that we learned today...
I write about these figures, and Tariq's story, not to be depressing, but with the hope of activating. Perhaps one of the most influential things Mike and I can do to initiate change is to explore the world, to build relationships with diverse groups of people, and then to share the stories that come from those experiences with others. Keller should grow up knowing he lives in a beautiful bubble. Lord, I pray he develops a hunger to see the world and that we (as parents) can give him an inspiring perspective on the role he is expected to play in making that world a better place.
Here is a picture of Tariq and some of the sights we saw while on his our tour.
Like Tariq, thousands of kids are running away from their homes and coming to cities like Delhi to live on the streets. Some are escaping abusive environments, others dream of becoming Bollywood stars (seriously)… some girls are pregnant and others girls want to rid their family of the burden associated with paying a dowry.
The first night Tariq was in Delhi, all of his possessions were stolen. And from there began the rapid downfall of a young boy. Before long, Tariq was living in the Delhi train station, addicted to drugs, collecting plastic bottles that he'd sell to the recycling center for approximately $1 per day. Thankfully, an organization called the Salaam Baalak Trust found Tariq and helped change his trajectory. Today, Tariq has graduated from high school and is studying at a university level. In the next month, he will find out whether he has won a one-year scholarship to visit the United States. Until then, he spends his time working with the Trust, mentoring young kids who are traveling that dangerous road he once traveled and making money by giving tours to groups like ours. Tariq is a lucky one.
A few facts that we learned today...
- More than 1 million people pass through the Delhi train station each day.
- At least 3,000 prostitutes are currently working in the Delhi station. Each of these ladies (or young girls) are expected to perform an average of ten services a day.
- There are 400-500 kids who call the train station home.
- Adoption from India is difficult, if not impossible, because there is a big problem with Indian parents selling their children into adoption.
- At least 90% of kids living on the street are thought to be on drugs. Their drug of choice is glue.
- The government offers a free television to anyone who will come in for sterilization.
I write about these figures, and Tariq's story, not to be depressing, but with the hope of activating. Perhaps one of the most influential things Mike and I can do to initiate change is to explore the world, to build relationships with diverse groups of people, and then to share the stories that come from those experiences with others. Keller should grow up knowing he lives in a beautiful bubble. Lord, I pray he develops a hunger to see the world and that we (as parents) can give him an inspiring perspective on the role he is expected to play in making that world a better place.
Here is a picture of Tariq and some of the sights we saw while on his our tour.
