Street children in Karachi learn basic skills

Street children living in four towns in Karachi, Pakistan, are now receiving basic education after joining Scout troops under the Asia-Pacific Region Ticket-to-Life Project.

Since mid-February last year, these Scout troops in Karachi have created a platform for Scout Leaders to reach out to street children and provide them with learning opportunities. Presently, Ticket to Life (TTL) troops present in the four towns have 128 street children.

In a child-friendly environment, children are taught to read and write even outside the school. For these children to somewhat understand the role of Scouting in the community, photos of Scouts doing community work printed and exhibited at the centres, were explained to them. Other training and activities provided were Basic First Aid and sports activities.

Pakistan TTL national coordinator Anwar Ahmed Zai said that the progress in the children’s behaviour largely depends on their eagerness to learn.

Today, Ticket to Life Project has now more than 1,000 Scouts in eight countries including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Sri Lanka, providing children and young people who are mostly out-of-school, with learning opportunities through Scouting.