Karunalaya provides transitional accommodation for boys and girls and works closely with child labourers and children in pavement-dwelling communities. 

They place a strong emphasis on preventing child marriage by educating families and communities, promoting girls’ engagement in schooling, and encouraging participation in sports programmes to build confidence and resilience.

Karunalaya uses street theatre as a powerful tool
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Karunalaya uses street theatre as a powerful tool for pavement-dwelling communities to help children share the issues affecting their lives with their families and communities. They also support forming pavement-dwellers’ associations, empowering these communities to advocate for their rights and demand access to basic amenities.

“We aren’t begging for this or asking for it as a favour. It’s our human right. There is so much that needs to be done for children and families living on the street, and so many stories that need to be counted. They are backed up by a lifetime of experience.” Usha, 19 years old, Chennai

Karunalaya’s advocacy and campaigning efforts drive meaningful change by supporting children in active leadership roles within their communities, ensuring their voices, perspectives, and needs are heard and considered. This work has also gained media attention, particularly for championing the right of all street children to have birth registrations — a vital step toward accessing their fundamental rights.

Karunalaya works closely with pavement-dwelling communities
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Amos Trust is supporting Karunalaya’s safe shelter for girls in crisis alongside their wider work with pavement-dwelling communities. This includes providing education to help girls stay in school, counselling for families facing abuse, and creative activities like sports and drama to build confidence. 

We also support their workshops, which address issues like violence and substance abuse while empowering communities to advocate for their rights.

To find out more about Karunalaya and their work, please watch our short film.

Photography: Mark Kensett and Tom Merilion