Pahchaan

Pahchaan (Protection And Help of Children Against Abuse and Neglect) is a Lahore-based non-government, non-profit, registered organization working on child protection issues. Founded in 2005 by volunteers of Child Rights & Abuse Committee, Pakistan Pediatric Association (Punjab Chapter), the organization aims to safeguard the rights of children. Pahchaan’s focus is on street children, runaway children, and other children in difficult circumstances, especially those vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It also aims to work with service providers and parents/caregivers through increased awareness, networking, and capacity building in order to create a more protective environment for the children under their care. Pahchaan believes in making collaborations and creating linkages that help provide a holistic model regarding child rights in any setting, based on the principles of United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).
The projects carried out by Pahchaan include:
Bachay Sab Day Sanjhay:
Drop in Centre for street living/working boys in Lahore
Child laborers provided Non Formal Education on street
Employers of child laborers provided awareness on child right
BachayGharMein Achay:
Reintegration project for runaway children of Punjab
Reunifying runaway boys with their families 
Rehabilitation support to runaway children
Awareness about the issue to parents and communities
Bachay Mehfooz Achay:
Collaboration in training of healthcare professionals on detecting child abuse and managing cases of severe torture and neglect at different hospitals of Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot
Protection of Nomad Children against Hepatitis B and STIs
Life Skills Based Education for children in alternate care
Life Skills Based Education for child laborers
Protection of Children affected by disasters
Pahchaan has a dedicated and professional staff and an enthusiastic group of more than 50 general body members along with an active body of more than 60 interns and a steadily growing group of volunteers. Pahchaan Executive Committee comprises of professionals from various fields, including education, marketing, media, development sector, health, and industry.
Partners in projects include Save the Children Sweden, SOS Children’s Villages of Pakistan, Sudhaar, and Child Rights & Abuse Committee of Pakistan Paediatric Association. For the latter, Pahchaan has implemented projects by European Commission and Groupe Development, International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Association for Development of Pakistan.
Pahchaan aims to give nameless, faceless children an identity. Its vision is to create a society which is free from child abuse and where all children are protected. We strive to make children safe from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and protect them from neglect and harm. Pahchaan aims to become a movement where every adult realizes the right of all children to protection. We achieve our goals through:

• Direct service delivery projects with vulnerable groups of children, including street children, runaway children, and children in alternate care (orphanages, hospitals, etc).
• Awareness raising for parents and communities
• Capacity building initiatives for health care professionals, teachers, and service providers (NGO professionals, lawyers, social workers, alternate care staff, etc.)
• Research on related issues
• Advocacy and networking of child protection NGOs

Achievements
(As of 30th June 2007)
2,419 visits have been made by over 150 street living children at Pahchaan’s Drop In Center for free meals, medical help and education. 572 children have visited it and availed the facility of night shelter at the Drop In Center. It serves an average of 600 meals per month to homeless children.
75 runaway boys have been rehabilitated with their families all over Punjab.
59 children suffering from physical and other abuse have sought specialized medical treatment.
Pahchaan held a medical camp for Gypsy children and vaccinated 200 children against Hepatitis B.
It also raised 29,00,000 PKR for Pahchaan Relief Operation for the earthquake victims.
About 100 homeless and working street children are being provided education on the streets in selected factories and shops. In addition Pahchaan is working with employers of child laborers, teachers, parents and other adults to make the world a better place for the children under their care.  
Through Pahchaan’s Alternate Care Project at SOS Children’ Village, 52 children and 20 mothers were educated with Life Skill Based Education (LSBE). A project for Child laborers at Kasur enabled the organization to provide LSBE to almost 60 children. Pahchaan interns delivered LSBE lesson plans to 42 gypsy children.

Publications
Pahchaan has published two research studies:
1) Exposure of Children to Pornography: A Situation Analysis in Lahore &
2) Vulnerability of Children to HIV/AIDS in Lahore