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After Slumdog Millionaire

A street child proudly displays his work in a literacy class run by MRDF's partner in Dhaka

For a few months, the film Slumdog Millionaire threw a much-needed spotlight on the plight of Asian streetchildren - highlighting issues that MRDF has been tackling since 1999.

The intense media coverage generated by the release of Slumdog Millionaire and its eight Oscars wins is now subsiding. As the director and actors move on to other projects and Hollywood looks to the next blockbuster, MRDF is urging people not to forget the millions of children who are still living and working on the streets around the world.

MRDF staff are no strangers to the images of poverty and vulnerability shown in the film. The charity has been supporting a local organisation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the past ten years, helping to provide food, shelter and vocational skills such as tailoring and carpentry to some of the city's 330,000 streetchildren.

‘As Slumdog Millionaire showed, streetchildren are extremely susceptible to abuse and poverty,' says Menka Jha, MRDF's Programme Officer for Asia. ‘Our project in Bangladesh provides a lifeline to children who have been in similar or worse situations than those portrayed in the film. But having a safe place to eat, sleep and learn essential life skills has enabled many of them to escape a lifetime of poverty.'

Revd Stephen Poxon, President of the Methodist Conference, visited the project in Bangladesh last October, where he met children who were attending school thanks to MRDF support. Mr Poxon said: ‘I have witnessed the difference that the schooling makes. Having seen how [the organisation] values MRDF, I would encourage MRDF to continue this for the long haul.'

Back to school for just £7!

Enable a street child in Bangladesh to go to school by giving a uniform, school bag and books as well as covering the costs of arranging their place. Order from MRDF's Extraordinary Gifts range and make more small miracles possible for streetchildren and others in the world's poorest communities.

Donations can also be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF”, posted to MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost.

Thank you.