28 November 2004	Sunday	15 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 27: A drop-in centre for street children was inaugurated by the CM's Adviser Fatima Surraiya Bajia at Saddar on Saturday.

The centre has been set up by an NGO, Azad Foundation to provide day-time shelter to street children. The opening of the centre coincides with the international Children's Day.

According to the NGO, the street children in the city would now be able to avail health facility, psychological assistance, etc., as per their individual requirement at the centre.

Arrangements would also be made for non-formal education and recreational activities for the children who would also be provided meals, milk and clothing, besides bathing facility.

It is estimated that there are about 14,000 street children, who have abandoned their homes, living on the streets of Karachi. The NGO says that the establishment of the drop-in centre is the first step towards rehabilitating such children.

The Foundation also runs a mobile dispensary which operates five days a week and provides medical facility to street children.

Those who spoke at the inauguration included Naveed Hasan Khan, Khurram Maqbool and Durriya Kazi. -APP