Background
The Asia-Pacific region is home to nearly half the world’s children, including large numbers of street children. According to UNICEF, in 1998 there were about 25 million children estimated to be living on the streets in Asia.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) defines street children as those for whom the street (in the widest sense of the word, i.e. unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) more than their family has become their real home, a situation in which there is no protection, supervision, or direction from responsible adults.
Considering the above scenario, the World Scout Bureau/ Asia- Pacific Region in year 2006 took a decision to reach out to this segment of the society engaging street children of adolescents age in Scout Program, providing them opportunity for all round development (Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical and Social) through Scouting but without removing them from their current dwelling. This will help these children to socialize and develop a plan for their own lives. This programme also aims to keep it cost effective at US$150 per year per child.
The project started with a three-day workshop which has concluded in Manila, Philippines on 4-6 December 2006. This initial workshop was aimed at orienting and training Scout Leaders, who are involved in the Ticket to Life Project. After the workshop, the Scout Leaders were involved with intervention and involvement by establishing Scout groups for street children. This phase culminate with a workshop held from 8-11 July 2007 in Delhi, India which evaluated concepts and methods taken during the six-month period.
The Scout Leaders who attended the workshop went back to their countries to continue to operate the Scout groups in the eight developing countries, providing opportunities for these young people to “socialize” and develop a plan to start a meaningful life through Scouting that will prepare them as responsible adults.
