Family size in the communities we operate is generally large, family members are often undernourished, and many live in poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. They are not trained in gainful skills, nor do they have access to schools or adult role models through which a livelihood would be taught.
Male members of these families are typically unskilled workers, with females employed in similar roles as well as serving as domestic help. It is not uncommon for parents to take their young children to work, thus children end up never gaining access to education, and as a result never develop as fully participative, contributing adults.
Out of school children are involved in employment, commonly known as child labor. We also have Street children in our School which includes both runaway children, who have left homes permanently and those who return back home to their families at the end of each day.
Some of these children engaged in child labor are exposed to hazardous materials including toxics, chemicals, fireworks and explosives etc. at their work places, which puts them into high risk environment and damage their health. Some street children end up joining criminal gangs or communities of organized beggars. Some of them get addicted to drugs and are subjected to abuses including sexual assaults and sometimes forced prostitution.
Woman’s stature in society is highly undermined as a homemaker in the rural and traditional setups. Under the patriarchal controls and mechanisms, women are not encouraged to educate themselves and are usually married at young age.
Women of urban middle and upper class are better placed. They have greater opportunities for higher education and social mobility is somewhat less restricted. But the average Pakistani woman, especially one settled in shantytowns, is beset with the "crippling handicaps of illiteracy, constant motherhood and poor health."
It has been observed that woman having some direct economic activity have more advantage in the family than those who do not contribute in the family income. She is given more respect and a share in decision making. Women working outside, have certainly more livelihood options, confidence and ability to confront obstacles than the ones who opt to confine themselves.
