'I didn't buy food, I just sniffed glue'

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In Myanmar, street kids are at high risk of trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. In this video, Thura* tells his story of living on the streets since the age of five. Courtesy ChildFund Australia.

Thura's story of exploitation and abuse is far from unique. Picture: Screengrab/ChildFund
Source: Supplied

HE ran away from home aged five to escape a violent stepfather.

Instead Thura* found himself living on the streets only to end up abused, exploited and addicted to glue.

The little boy, who would work to earn just enough money to feed his addiction, has revealed the true reality of street kids in one of the world's poorest nations.

And sadly, his story is not unique and the now-teenager from Myanmar is one of an estimated million children who don't live with their families and who are at massive risk of child trafficking, abuse, sexual exploitation and addiction, according to childrens' charity ChildFund.

Thura was living on the streets at just five and soon became addicted to sniffing glue. Picture: ChildFund
Source: Supplied

"I didn't know much and I was forced to do many things," he said in a recent interview with ChildFund staff.

"While I was asleep they held glue to my nose ... soon I became addicted to sniffing glue too."

"I collected rubbish, with the money I got I didn't buy food, I just sniffed glue."

Thura hasn't seen his mother since he was about eight-years-old but still thinks about her and dreams of one day being reunited.

The 15-year-old is just one of about 50 at a ChildFund-supported street children's centre in Sagaing region.

Street kids in Myanmar face an uncertain future and are at massive risk of exploitation.
Source: Supplied

These kids all have a story to tell, and they are not always a happy one, according to ChildFund Australia CEO Nigel Spence who has lifted the lid on the staggering reality for life for Myanmar's youngsters.

Mr Spence said about 300,000 women and children were estimated to be trafficked in the Mekong area of South-East Asia every year, but that this figure was conservative.

He added that Myanmar lacked an effective child protection system and while child protection laws existed, they were not widely implemented.

There are an estimated one million children living away from their parents in Myanmar. Screengrab/ChildFund
Source: Supplied

He said a limited awareness of children's rights and extreme poverty put millions of children at risk of trafficking and other forms of violence, abuse and exploitation.

Even worse, child protection authorities say the vast majority of trafficking goes unreported.

Each year thousands of children are trafficked, mainly to China, Thailand and India, mostly for the purposes of forced marriage but also for labour, commercial sex and domestic work, and adoption.

Those who remain on the street are forced to rely on begging, domestic work, prostitution and collecting rubbish to survive and are at high risk of being abused or trafficked.

ChildFund's Myanmar Country Representative Nini Htwe said: "Children disappear, especially in rural villages."

Mr Spence said Thura's story highlighted the massive risk children faced.

"Sadly this problem is widespread in many countries very close to Australia," he said.

Thura who is now in care, said he was "forced to do things". Picture: Screengrab/ChildFund
Source: Supplied

"In Myanmar it does seem to be quite acute, extreme poverty means street kids are extremely vulnerable."

Mr Spence added a lack of enforceable childrens' law, education and displacement due to conflict also added to the problem.

He said even when children were rescued many then faced being ostracised.

"May who return from an abusive situation face stigma all over again," he said.

Mr Spence said it was vital Australians were aware of the terrible situation as Myanmar reached a critical time in its evolution.

Thura is a former street kid who said life is tough for vulnerable kids.
Source: Supplied

He added simply signing a petition which called for world leaders to make the prevention of child abuse and exploitation a global priority could make a massive difference to an even bigger problem.

"Violence against women and children requires action at every level," he said.

To sign the free from violence petition or to donate to support child protection programs in Myanmar click here.

*Thura's name has been changed to protect his identity.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/i-didnt-buy-food-i-just-sniffed-glue/