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Summary: Children in a shelter home suffer the effects of overcrowding, hunger, lack of running water, deficient infrastructure, health issues and beatings and physical torture at the hands of their caregivers, reveals a recent study conducted by NGOs in Bangalore.
[BANGALORE, 7 January 2011] - The Balakara Bala Bhavana, a care and protection home for children in distress, located on Hosur Road has been in an abysmal condition for a long time. The home, which is supposed to shelter no more than 100 boys, is currently accommodating over 130 children, most between the ages of eight to 18. The overcrowded boys’ home lacks basic facilities, and children complain about bad food and no medical care. The worst part is that most boys are subjected to regular beatings by their caregivers. These are some of the stark truths which a group of child rights activists have come across during two-months’ research at the Balakara Bala Bhavana. The child rights activists represent various NGOs of Bangalore, working for the betterment of underprivileged children. The boys home is run under the department of women and child development, which has authorised the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Bangalore to monitor the day-to-day activities of the Balakara Bala Bhavana. “During our two-month study, we found that the home is overcrowded, and children are living in inhuman conditions. The home is supposed to shelter no more than 100 boys, but has more than 130 boys,” said a child rights activist. “The boys home severely lacks basic facilities and most infrastructural facilities are in shambles,” the activist added.
The activists have expressed their concern over inmates being subjected to physical torture by their caregivers. The study also found that the home did not provide children with adequate food. Most children were malnourished and suffered from various diseases. “Children complained that they were served sub-standard food, which often remains half-cooked. Most times, boys stayed with an empty stomach, as the food served was not fit for human consumption,” revealed the activist. Moreover, the children have no access to basic medical facilities, and most of them suffered from skin ailments, sores in legs and stomach infections. “The boys have told us that doctors hardly come to give medical check-ups, and even if they do come, they are barely provided with any form of treatment,” said the activist. The activist informed that the boys home lacked a water supply, and the caregivers didn’t provide the children any soap and antiseptic for bathing, which might be the reason for their skin conditions. Most children in the home expressed their desire to go to school and pursue education. Moreover, the boys, who come from various corners of the country, often felt homesick and needed immediate counselling. “We feel that these children need regular counselling to deal with their mental and emotional trauma. The children also need a good translator for effective communication, as they speak various languages, coming from different parts of the country,” said another activist. The activists will soon send their recommendations to the Karnataka state commission for the protection of child rights and the department of women and child development, to improve the conditions in the boys home. Further Information:
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