CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Literature pertaining to study of “A PROGNOSTIC STUDY ON

THE PROBLEMS AND FUTURE OF ORPHAN CHILDREN” in

Madurai and Dindigul District is discussed under the following major

headings.

1. Review of recent studies conducted in caring of destitute

children at the micro level and at the macro level.

2. Review of past and present developmental services in both

national and international level.

Part I

A study of the Mental Health Status of Children, in

Orphanages at Bangalore, by Sumam Somen (1976).

This study is based on the presumption that family life is basic

to the wholesome development of a child, and when the child is

deprived of healthy family care, his emotional development will be

thwarted. Institutionalised children are affected by various forms of

deprivation. The most important is being the absence of parents.

Here the researcher included in his questionnaire, the most

prevalent problems like aggressive conduct, disorder, adolescent

23
adjustment reaction and the problem of stealing, buying and

truancy. Also the researcher analysed the depression, affectionless

character, sexual problems, epilepsy and hysterical behaviour of

orphans. The researcher suggests with respect to the possible health

services and the improvement of institutional care the following

o To concentrate more in areas that needs further research.

o Immense need to extend mental health services to these

orphanages, curative, preventive and promotive.

o Changes in the structure and the functions of the

institutions.

o Proposals to improve the morale of the caretakers and

consequently the care taking in the institutions.

A study on the "The Socio-demographic Profile of

Institutionalised Children m Tamil Nadu by Indian Council for

Child Welfare Tamil Madia 1994”' was undertaken with overall

objectives of finding out the socio-economic background of the

destitute children who had brought up in residential care under the

cottage scheme.

The Objective of the Study

o to find out the family background of the children under the

cottage scheme

24
 o to find out the background factors which necessiatated

residential care in the institutions

o to study the services rendered to the children by the

NGO’s.

o to asses the options of the family members about the

service provided by the institutions

o to find out the opinion of the children about the service

provided

o to find out the nature of continuing relationship between

the children and their parents and guardians

o to find out the plans for the future of children

Samples were taken by simple random method. The data were

collected through three kinds of interview schedule one for the

institutional representative, another for the children and next for the

families.

Regarding the findings of this study 80 per cent of the step

parents and guardians praised the cottage scheme which creates

homely environment to the inmates. The factors which necessitated

residential care were that most of the inmates are semi orphans

(60 per cent) and remaining (40 per cent) were pure orphans. In

25
both oases either father or mother in the form of semi-parents and

guardians or step parents liked to live with the children in their

respective home. This reason was due to economic scarcity, non-

availability of time due to work and disturbance in their presence.

The two different opinion of children towards service of the home are

the children arc satisfied in the home from their early childhood, at

the same time the children are not: satisfied who joined the home in

later grown up stage.

The assessment of opinion of parents regarding the service by

the agency, 70 per cent of the parents were not. interested, only 30

per cent, of the parents were interested in these matter. Regarding

the nature of continuing relationship between the children and their

parents, guardians, the children wanted very much to continue to

like with their parents and they were eager to promote relationship

but. maximum of the parents or guardians were not. interested, only

minimum of them were interested. The plan for the future of children

are I. To promote health through more nutritious food. 2. Make

them motivated towards education especially in technical studies,

which creates job opportunity for them in future. In the light of

findings of the study a few suggestions were explored for making the

institutionalisation more effective in the development of the children.

26
 A study by K.P. Pathek, P.C. Sexana and P. Prasad

attempted to project the Orphan children in the catogeries namely

paternal, maternal and complete in the major states of India, from

1971 to 1991. They have given full details on the population of

orphans in orphanage homes in their study. The objectives of the

study are, to find out

o Category of parental type

o Reasons of becoming orphans

o Age of joining and dispatch age after well settled

o To measure the extent of orphanhood

In this study, samples are taken by simple random method

from the orphanage homes completely all over India. The analysis is

made by simple percentage method.

The finding show in the whole sample pattern for this project

52 per cent of orphans are paternal, 30 per cent are maternal and

16 per cent are complete orphan and the remaining 2 per cent are

unknown. Another finding shows the reasons in becoming orphan

are 78 per cent are due to parental deprivation and the remaining

are due to natural calamities like flood, earthquake etc., Regarding

the dispatches of inmates from the home girls, 90 per cent are

settled safely through the support and guidelines of the home

authority, nearly 47 per cent of boys are settled safely, 23 per cent

are leading illegal life, 30 per cent of the another section stands

between the safer and unsafer side.

27
 D.N. Mari Bhat’s Study on the Impact of Declining

Mortality on Children, tries to estimate the decline of orphanhood

in India from 1901 to 1911 and 1961 to 1971. This study is

concentrated on the main aspects, "why children becomes orphans?

We found that the incidence of orphanhood has been reduced to half

of its original proportion during the course of 60 years. This study

has brought out the fact that 20 million children do not have a

father, the breadwinner of the family. Nearly 1 million of children

become orphan due to natural calamities and incurable diseases like

T.B, cancer. He founded that after the advancement and

development in Science and Technology there is much decrease of

orphans all over the world. He also found the efforts of Government

and NGO’s in later years decreased the number of orphan children. It

has been observed that the number of orphans decreased in

mortality.

The total number of complete orphans in the age group of 0-4,

decreased from 67,000 in 1971 to 24,000 in 1991. The number of

complete orphans in the age group 5-9 decreased form 1,70,000 in

1971 to 81,000 in 1991. The data were collected from the

orphanages all over India and from the Social Welfare Department.

28
 The findings of this study reveal that the reason for becoming

orphan is, 60 per cent of orphans are due to economic condition and

diseases, 20 per cent of orphans due to death of parents and 8 per

cent of orphans because of broken family, and remaining 12 per

cent orphans are due to various reasons like natural and social

calamities.

The destitute children, who join the institute in the earlier age

before 10 is 70 per cent above' 10 is 20 per cent and right from the

birth in I lie home is 10 per cent . The financial assistance for the

welfare of orphan children is given by Government and World

Voluntary Organisations to the local NGO’s. But it is not properly

used and it is not reaching the target group.

The Socio-physcliological Problems and Personality

Pattern of the Deprived Children Living Isi Destitute Homes of

Rajasthan, (1976), by Divya Nagar, is a study conducted in all the

homes of Rajasthan.

The immediate objectives of tins study arc:

o To find out, to compare the socio-psychological problems

of deprived children in destitute homes in Rajasthan.

o To measure personality traits of deprived children in

destitute homes in Rajasthan.

 The analysis of this study shows that the group of deprived

children have specific problems than normal children. It is also clear

that environment affects the personality of the deprived children

compared to normal ones. The difference assumed is significant in

many areas. The positive and negative reinforcements that the

growing child received from the environment determines the

characteristics of their personality. It is obvious that environment is

more positive for the children who are living in their homes with their

parents. Therefore, their personality characteristics are significantly

different from the characteristics of the deprived children.

The study On Altruism In Children by Usha Naidu, (1984)

aimed to know the development of altruistic behaviour of

institutionalized destitute children residing in welfare institutions in

Bombay city. The specific objectives of this study are

o To clarify the relations between mood, either good or bad,

and altruism by inducing mood directly. In accord with

previous specialization in this area, it is hypothesized that

boys who experienced good mood will share their

possession more than control groups, while those

experiencing bad mood, will share their possessions

significantly less than the control groups

30
 o To study the incidence of altruism in three age groups 7,9

and 11 years

o To study the relationship between altruism and the

variables arising from the fact of institutionalization

o To make intra-cottage comparison of boys

o To asses the personality of socialising agents (House

mother) living in Balaniwas

The methodology in this study is analysed through the

altruistic intention (Al) and altruistic behaviour of Institutionalized

boys. Altruism is identified on the variable of age, home setting, and

mood. An examination of the results of the study reveals that (a) of

the several factors in the present study relates to altruistic intention

(Al) and altruistic behaviour (AB) the following are salient viz (I)

mood (ii) age (iii) homesteading (iv) religion (v) the personality of the

socializing agent and there is no signification different in score AI

and AB.

The assessment of personality of socializing agents living in

Balaniwas is 40 per cent are doing their duty for getting payment

without any inner love towards children. 20 per cent of socialising

agents are doing their duty with full involvement apart from their

individual interest. The remaining percentage of socializing agents

31
are either this or that which the researcher is unable to identify. The

comparison of boys in the cottages and those in dormitories showed

only minimum difference. Finally the researches concludes that

mood may be good or bad will influence the behaviour of the

destitute children.

Child Adoption

In the current period the child adoption is seen as a very

important service to orphan children who are destitute in our society.

Contemporary principles of Child Welfare and United Nations

Declaration on the rights of the child, guides the child adoption

service. Child adoption is a necessary and essential to build the

future of orphan children. Even the Bible states that Moses was

adopted by the Pharoah’s daughter. The mordecal and ancient code

of Hammurabbi too recognized adoption. In early Greece and Rome,

adoption served to provide an heir to continue the family line, and

manage the family property. In Rome adoption enabled a man to

achieve an office, by this qualifying him to take up a job. In fact the

number of children adopted played a major role in promotion, getting

a job etc. In the East, among the Hindus, and the Chinese, adoption

was approved for ensuring care in old age, attaining heavenly

blessing ensuring continuity of family name. Later adoption was

accepted by Hindu Law also.

32
 Prom the above information, we can understand the

importance of adoption. Adoption of child is one of the remedies to

solve the future of orphan children. So it is necessary here to review

the literature related to the adoption of child.

A study On Child Adoption In India (1976) by Tata Institute

of Social Sciences, Bombay, was conducted in the state of

Maharashtra, a leading state in the field of child adoption services.

The broad objectives of this study were,

o To study the trends in child adoption service in the state

over a decade form 1977 to 1986

o To study the nature of child adoptions in the state in

terms of type of adoption, and in terms of the category of

adoptive parents (Indian / Foreigners)

o To prepare a profile of the children placed in adoption and

guardianship from the adoption agencies in the state

o To prepare a profile' of the adoptive parents

o To prepare a profile of the biological mothers who abandon

or relinquish their child which may be later adopted

 o To study the procedures and policies of the state adoption

agencies covered in this study and to determine the views

of adoption workers on the present: practices in child

adoption services, and on the future service in our

country.

o The design of this study and method involved collecting of

secondary data from the; files of adoption agencies. In

order to trace the trends in adoption work, the data were

collected for a period of 10 years, from 1977 to 1986.

Besides analysing the secondary data, additional

information was collected by interviewing senior and

experienced staff of adoption agencies for their views on

the current practice of child adoption in India and its

future prospects in the country

The general findings show that the study covered 16 child

adoption agencies in five cities of Maharashtra with the total of 4,526

children placed in adoption. Regarding children placed in adoption

and guardianship between 1977 and 1986, over two thirds were

placed with foreign parents (67.2 per cent ) 27 per cent were Indian

placements and a comparatively small percentage 5.6 with Indian

parents living abroad. There was an extremely small percentage of

(0.2 per cent ) of foreign adoptive parents living in India.

 Among the Indian placements a larger percentage (79 per cent)

comprise Hindu Act adoptions in contrast to guardianship (21 per

cent). And of the total guardianship cases there are more foreign

placements (91 per cent) then Indian placements (9 per cent).

The profile of adopted children shows the type of child

adoption, the majority of adopted (74 per cent) were placed in their

new homes under the guardianship Act. Children adopted under the

Hindu Act constitute only 24 per cent of the total child adoptions.

The profile of adopted parents, the adopter fathers, type of adoption

through Hindu act is 45.1 per cent and through guardianship act is

87.3 per cent were below 40 years and in above 41 years 54.9 per

cent through Hindu act and 12.7 per cent through guardianship act

were adopter fathers, in below 40 years adopter mothers were 75.2

per cent through Hindu act and 93.2 per cent were through

guardianship act and 24.8 per cent through Hindu act and 6.8 per

cent through guardianship act are in above 41 years.

Regarding the profile of biological parents they were shrouded

in ambiguity. A total of 2,813 cases of biological mothers were

available from the various adoption agencies for analysis. These

mothers were young at the time of adopting the child, while 10 per

cent were below 18 years, nearly 88 per cent were below 25 years.

35
Another 2 per cent were between 26 to 35 years. Most of the mothers

were Hindus (88 per cent) a few being Christians (6 per cent) and

Muslims (6 per cent). In this study the major findings were

summarized to give a holistic picture of child adoption service in

Maharastra State. These finding are later discussed with a view to

bring out the emerging illness and implications for future perspective

on child adoption.

A study On Child Adoption by Ahmad (1978) was conduced

in Delhi during the period when a demand was being made in

Parliament for the passage of comprehensive legislation on adoption.

The study aimed at assessing people’s response to the passage of

such legislation and to ascertain their attitude towards the issue of

child adoption.

The study was carried out in two localities, New and Old Delhi

covering 206 respondents. Of these were 109 males and 97 females

between the age groups of 18 to 55 years. The respondents differed

in terms of marital status, the number of children they had,

educational and socio-economic background. Data collection was

made through questionnaire of objective type. Regarding the

findings, a majority 82 per cent had never thought of adopting a

child and an equal percentage (81 per cent) stated that they would

not adopt a child even if the family circumstances permitted them.

36
This attitude was shared by the sample as a whole, irrespective of

differences in the demographic, social and economic backgrounds.

Adoption seemed to appeal only to those who were childless. This

was further supported by the fact that a majority of the respondents,

88 per cent, were unable to even visualize a situation where they

would have to think of adoption, probably to help a child in need,

and 2 percent said that they would adopt, if they had no children of

their own. When asked about the source of securing a child, if they

ever decided to adopt, a larger percentage of the respondents, 42 per

cent, expressed a preference for adopting a close relative’s or a

friends child from an orphanage, 7 per cent from economically poor

homes and 10 per cent through hospitals. Adoption was not

considered by most of the respondents as a welfare practice. However

two points need to be borne in mind. Firstly the study was mainly

hypothetical in nature. The actual behaviour may differ from the

supposed behaviour. Secondly, the study was conducted in the

northern part of the country, therefore the results may not hold true

for the rest of the country.

The study carried out by Billimora The Peoples Attitudes

Towards Child Adoption (1984) is the most comprehensive study so

far as it deals not only with the people’s attitude towards child

adoption, but also with the psycho social factors related with

adoptive experience and the development of adopted child from

orphanages, hospitals and from poor families.

37
 The study was conducted in Bombay, from 62 parents. 42 of

them had adopted a child, and 20 had planned to adopt but

ultimately did not. The latter group was included to throw light on

why they could not adopt in addition to primary data. The study

collected secondary data from agency files.

The results showed that majority of the parents adopted a

child in the hope of satisfying the family (80.1 per cent) and 70 per

cent with the hope that the child would look after them in old age.

Majority of adoptive parents were Hindus (62.4 per cent), followed by

Muslims (33.2 per cent) and the rest, 4.4 per cent, included well-

educated and economically well placed. The adoptive parents had

generally waited a long time before deciding for adoption. Majority

were above 30 years and had been married for 10-20 years. Most of

the parents belonged to nuclear families. In general, the study

showed the adoptive parents experienced a positive attitude towards

adoption in their immediate environment (family and friends), but a

less positive environment in their community.

This study throws some light on the experiences of adoptive

parents in the Indian context, and presents some sketchy profiles of

adoptive parents and their children. However, the study is restricted

to adoption agency of Bombay and relies on the parent’s subjective

38
description of their child’s growth and development instead of

collecting information directly from the child also. The findings show

the adopted parents had positive attitudes towards child adoption.

The adoptive parents are mostly in nuclear family. The major reason

for adoption is to look after them in the older age period and their

property too.

Psychosocial Profile of Inmates of Orphanages (1998) by

P.K. Dutta, a psychosocial study of 306 institutionalised orphans

carried out at Pune. Various aspects like age, sex, religion wise

distributions including their age at entry, social status of parents

and type or cause of destitution have been studied. The intelligence

quotient (IQ) of inmates and level of psychological problem of the

inmates have also been highlighted.

This study was undertaken with a view to fill up the gaps in

the existing knowledge on the social etymology of destitution as well

as to bring out a psychosocial profile of the orphans.

The study population comprised inmates of the following four

orphanages.

o Tyabia orphanage provided a study population of 92

orphans in the age of 5-18 years

39
 o St.John’s orphanage provided a study population of 45

orphans in the age group of 5-10 years

o St. Gabriels orphanage provided a study of population of

54 orphans in the age group of 5-10 years

o St. Michael orphanage provided a study population of 115

orphans in the age group of 10-18 years

A liaison was established with the governing body

administrators and social workers of these institutions and plan was

culled out as per their convenience before the commencement of the

study. The data was collected by interviewing the study subjects and

by recording on a pretested schedule.

The findings of study revealed that the loss of mother in early

childhood had an ill effect on the individuals psyche. It. also brought,

out that the complete orphan was under severe stress which could

affect adversely on his psychological well being in later life. These

two are more common symptoms found among complete orphans

and maternal orphans. The researcher had also observed that

permanent bedwetting seemed to be connected with disturbance in

child relation with the mother.

40
 Part - II

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

Earlier orphanages were organised by the Ursuline Sisters in

New York in 1729, to provide training for young girls orphaned by

Indian massacres. During the next century many such institutions

were established. Among these the "CHARLESTON ORPHAN HOUSE”

was founded in 1790 in south Carolina. Even now these institution

are working for the welfare of orphan children. In 1853 the children

aid society, was started in New York and this is the child-placing

agency separate from an institution.

United Mations International Children’s Emergency

Fund(UNICEF) |1946}

United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, is

assisting over 3,500 children in their health, nutrition and welfare

projects in over 100 countries. Its aid is designed not only to help

governments to meet existing needs of children, but also to

encourage preventive measures and to enable countries to undertake

new action on a continuing and expanding basis. In March 1959,

“UNICEF” Board approved its aid for social service for children,

especially for those needing some form of care in the absence of

parents.

41
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRIC CLINICS FOR

CHILDREN (1946)

It was started by Othilda Kraig, a Psychiatric and a social

worker. The main aim of the organisation, was to provide

coordination of activities of psychiatric clinics serving at

international level a) To help and to maintain the highest possible

standards of clinic practice b) To give mutual help in the study and

solution of psychiatric problems of children’s c) To promote the

training of clinic personally. It also concentrated on the welfare of

destitute children in orphanage homes on their psychiatric problems.

ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (1892)

It was started in Washington. The main objective of this

organisation was giving free education for orphan and semi-orphan

children. It also works for the well being of children to bring into

active cooperation all groups in the home, school, and the

community. It advocate this purpose of objective, as education is

necessary to every children which is flexible and which changes to

meet the needs inherent in a changing society,

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CHILD WELFARE (1920}

It is a federation of 69 national and international

organisations. It was located at “GENEVA” as head office and has

branches all over the world. The main purposes of this organization

were, to assist, request the member organisations to reach and

42
 maintain a high level of performances in securing the children and

helping them in all welfare activities towards the children. The

principles of the declaration of the rights of the child are known as

the “revelation of Geneva”. It also directed the organisations to show

progress in the child welfare.

TERRE PES HOMMES (TPH) (GERMANY) (1965)

It was an organisation at international level for direct and

immediate help for children in extreme need. This organisation

worked in India in the field of child welfare, community health and

residential care for orphan children etc. On the termination of its

activities in Vietnam in 1975 and in pursuance of the request of

donors, the TPH initiated the activities through sponsorship

programmes in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh primarily for child welfare.

From 1978 onwards the TPH gives relief funds for the services of

orphanage Homes in India. Although it was not registered in India it

worked under Indo-German relief supply in an agreement during

1976. The main branch was located in Deutschland at West

Germany, and in India at Pune.

43
NATIONAL LEVEL

INDIA SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE (ISC) (19671

It was an associate member of the international union for

Child Welfare Geneva. The Canadian “save the children funds”, were

major collaborator. This Committee was established in 1967, under

the auspices of the International Union for Child Welfare to promote

direct service programmes for children with other “save the children

fund agencies”. The aim and objectives of this committee were to

extend the sponsorship programme for children all over the country.

Further the total moral, physical, intellectual and social development

of children in orphanages or in their own homes by meeting their

needs for nutrition, clothing, and medical treatment etc., Finally it

assists in every direction to voluntary organisation in all the ways

working for the welfare of children.

In addition to funds collected abroad by ISC had also

generated local resources for its programme. In our country first

central social welfare board was set up in 1953 mainly to promote

voluntary action in the delivery of social services through voluntary

organisation. It was later registered as a charitable company on 1

April 1969, for destitute children as an important activity, rt also

assisted financially through funding the agency who were working for

destitute children welfare.

44
 JAINS SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ORPHANS IN INDIA,

MEW DELHI (1903)

Its primary idea was to run ashrams and educational

institutions for orphans. It was an all India organisation dedicated to

look after helpless orphan children, widows, and handicapped.

The main objectives of this society was to look after the

helpless in general and particularly

o To teach moral and educational values

o To arrange shelter for helpless widows and handicapped

o To render relief works to the public in time of distress

o And to undertake any other activity which would help in

the achievement of the objectives of the society.

o It also conducted activities like establishment of

orphanages, schools, dharmasalas at Digamber Jain

Temples. An institution was also there for orphans

wherein arrangements for boarding, lodging, clothing,

and education of the inmates are made

 BALAM -JI- BARU, BOMBAY ( 1923)

It means Children’s Own Garden. It was a pioneering child

welfare organisation in our country at Guilistan, Bombay. It had

branches all over India.

The main objectives were

o The extension of relief to orphans, handicapped children

and beggars

o Establishing ashrams, orphanages, child welfare centres,

child guidance clinics, youth clubs, vocational, technical

and training institutes

o Prevention of cruelty towards children and securing

enactment of beneficial legislation for children

o Undertaking supplemental activities for children outside

home and school

Providing medical facilities, homing health centres,

dispensaries and hospitals

Its function carried out all types of welfare for children who are

socially handicapped. It also had ashrams and homes for boys and

girls below 20 from rural areas who were socially handicapped

(orphans and destitutes).

46
CHILDREN AID SOCIETY, BOMBAY (1927)

It was an organisaiton which actively took care and protection

of destitute children. It was registered in 1927 under Society

Registration Act of 1860, and also modified 1953 under the Bombay

Public Trusts Act 1950.

The Society aims to

o Establish institutions like remand homes to children and

youthful offenders, maintain certified schools and

institutions for delinquent and destitute children.

o It also co-ordinates and assists work of institution and

individuals in the field of childcare and protection.

o Arose public interest in the care of children and help in the

promotion of their physical, mental and moral welfare.

o Generally its functions and programmes were towards the

welfare of the problematic and destitute children.

INDIAN COUNCIL OF CHILD WELFARE (ICCW) |1952)

It was registered in 1952 under the Registration Act. It followed

the service by the guide of United Nations appeal for children. It

stands for the development of child welfare as its views were

47
 o To initiate, undertake and aid schemes for child welfare in

India

o To organize and maintain institution for training of child

welfare workers

o To establish a central bureau for research and collection of

data on child welfare work and to publish reports,

periodicals etc

o To disseminate knowledge and information on child welfare

o To promote enactment of new legislation for child welfare

o To assist the organisation working in welfare of child

o To cooperate with national and international organisation

in furtherance of child welfare in the country

It also gives awards and prizes on children’s day, 14th

November to those who show outstanding courage and bravery. It

also conducts number of ad-hoc programmes like relief work,

institutional scholarships, conducting refresher courses etc,.

CHILDREN’S BOOK TRUST (1957)

It was founded by cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai. The aim of the

trust was to make available good reading materials for children.

o To encourage and promote the reading habits

48
 o To provide basic knowledge in arts, handicrafts and cottage

industries

o To start, maintain or manage educational institutions

o To grant stipends, awards, prizes etc, to students to

encourage writing valuable essays

o To organize debates competitions, seminars, and other

contests in various activities

It is an agency of child welfare in promotion of education, art,

painting by the help of grant from government and foreign agencies.

BUREAU OF CHILD WELFARE AMD RESEARCH (BCWAR) (1959)

It was established in 1959, to promote the welfare of the

children and it was registered under Societies Registration Act of

1860. It is located in Lucknow. The aim of bureau are

o To investigate problems of children on scientific lines and

to collect relevant data

o To prepare and propagate child welfare plans and mobilize

and setup child welfare organisations

o To persuade and motivate the Union and State

Governments and local bodies to implement child

development programmes

49
 o To train child welfare workers

o To coordinate the activities of various child welfare

organisations

o To provide scientific and technical advise regarding child

welfare

This bureau undertakes various programmes for child welfare.

It includes institute for- mentally retarded, home for destitute

children, studies, research, seminar, exhibitions, pilot projects and

conferences etc. It gets funds Irom foreign and also from our

Government. It: also assists financially Junior Voluntary Agencies

working in welfare of children.

THE MODEL SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY DEFICIENT AMD

DESTITUTE CHILDREN, BOMBAY (1964)

it was established 1o educate, train, and rehabilitate the

mentally retarded and also the destitute children. It also designed

the services of the school to develop each child’s innate potentialities

to its fullest extent:. It fully comes under the control of the Ministry of

Social and Women’s Welfare Department.

50
NATIONAL CHILDREN'S BOARD (1974)

It was constituted in pursuance of the provisions of the

resolution on National Policy of Children on 22 August 1974. Its

main functions were

o To plan, review and supervise the implementation of the

programmes connected with International Year of Child

1979

o To coordinate and integrate the efforts of governmental and

private agencies in implementing programmes

o To locate gaps in existing services and give suggestions to

fillup the gaps

o To review the progress of voluntary agencies on child

welfare and its activities

The board suggested new activities in the field of child welfare

and expansion of existing programmes. It has suggested several

measures to the board for fund raising to the National Children

Fund.

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE, BAWANA (1978)

SOS (Save Our Souls) a children’s village in India is a

voluntary Child Welfare Organisation dedicated to the total care of

needy orphan and destitute children. It located about 25 kilometres

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away from Delhi. The inmates were mostly rural children and the

major objective was to provide a homely atmosphere for them. In the

village of Bawana, 87 children stay with their mothers. There is one

mother for every 12 children in 20 houses. This mother is not

different from a mother in a normal home except the children are not

born to her. She loves them, cooks their food, washes their clothes,

sends them to schools, and takes care of all their developmental

aspects.

The objectives of the SOS villages include

o Starting and maintaining children’s village homes for orphaned,

vagrant, abandoned, neglected and socially handicapped

children and children in need of care who have been torn from

their families

o Organising training courses

Helping orphanage homes to change over to the SOS pattern of

childcare

Co-operating with National and International agencies for the

furtherance of child care

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 This SOS village movement began in Austria in 1949 by

helping the orphans in war-town Europe. The enterprise and

devotion of Dr. Gmeiner has changed the lives of thousands of

children in 59 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.

There are now 130 SOS villages around the world and 17 of them are

in India.

Apart from the government, if we see the voluntary

organisation at the National level, there are uncountable functioning.

Among them we are concentrating on the senior agencies, who are

working for the welfare of children in all the ways.

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