SCAVENGING: THE CHILDREN ROLE IN SURGING THE ECONOMIC PROFILE OF FAMILIES IN PEHAWAR, PAKISTAN

The present study was conducted during 2009 to probe the socio-economic conditions of scavenger children and to know their contribution in family income. The universe of this study was limited to Board Bazzar, Peshawar Development Authority, and Karkhano market of District Peshawar. A sample of 80 scavenging children was selected through purposive sampling. The study found that 68% respondents belonged to age group 11-20 years, 61% were male, 65% had family size from 10-20 persons, 66% were from joint/extended family type, and 87% were among the first three elder children of their parents. Parents of 50% respondents were alive, out of which 68% of parents were illiterate, living father of all the respondents were employed. Monthly income of 55% respondents was in range of 500-1000 per month from scavenging. Useful waste was collected by 81% respondents from commercial markets. Sense of security was lacking in 84% respondents and 59% did not have leisure time for themselves. Peer group was source of introduction of 59% of respondents, to this profession, parents of 81% respondents wanted them to work for financial support and all of the respondents helped supporting their family. 55% of respondents did not like that profession, while 56% did not want to leave this profession as they felt they could not do any other job. A majority of 72% respondents were scavenging either to support their major earner or themselves were the major earner as their earning members had died or were disable, 44% were still willing to support their families while 40% were tired of this lifestyle. The recommendations made in light of study were, giving formal and non-formal/religious education and vocational trainings to scavengers for their skill enhancement and moral upbringing, financial support to their families in form of small and large credit loans, health awareness programmes through Government and NGO’s, recreational facilities to the children, job opportunities to the parents of these children, light work permission from the government in light of existing law of the country.