Although a small town, Palani is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Tamil Nadu, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims each year. The temple, whose god Murugan is known as the first runaway child in Indian mythology, attracts children from surrounding villages and towns with the promise of work and alms. Besides minor agricultural activities, the survival of the majority of Palani’s population depends upon income from pilgrims and tourists. Despite low wages and exploitation, many children find informal work within the tourist industry. Many of these children experience physical harassment and abuse in the work place and often sleep in the streets, temples and bus shelters, where they may be forced into prostitution and selling drugs. It is estimated that 60% of street children are addicted to solvents, which has immediate and severe health implications.
The SPEDY project was established in Palani in 2003 in response to the growing needs of vulnerable boys living and working in the town. In addition to advocating the total eradication of child labour, the more immediate concern is to provide care, protection and support for these children. The SPEDY centre in Palani provides shelter, protection, food, medical care and counselling to street and working boys. Children are welcomed to the centre at any time and are encouraged to relax, play and make friends with others. The services provided by SPEDY are unique to the situation of children in Palani. SPEDY does not try to prevent children from working. Rather, children are informed of their rights, told how to seek help and protection when needed, given counselling and encouraged to return to school. |
 |
