Segment 1

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There are more than 10,000 street kids in Thailand.

FATHER JOE [Pastor, Mercy Center]

The home situation is so bad and so awful and so horrible, they can't survive. They can't exist at home. They're being abused, and the only place they've got to run is the street, and the street is much safer, is much better, then it is at home. That’s why they're there. No one wants to live on the streets. That's why they leave. They can't stay at home anymore. They'll die. They will literally die or be killed if they stay at home, so they've got to run to the streets, to survive, to live.

MING 1 [Train Child]

Living on the street was difficult. I slept under the bridge. I was afraid.

JARAN [Train Child]

I was abandoned in a trash bin. My grandfather found me. He adopted me and took care of me. Then he died, and I was all alone. I got into drugs.

KIET [Train Child]

My parents beat me, so I ran away from home when I was 13.

MING 2

I was at the train station begging for money to buy food. I went to live there, and I met Mother Mam. She is a railroad police officer.

MAM [Police-teacher]

The street-side project is run by volunteers from the police division. We take care of kids who have less opportunities.

CHATCHAI [Police-teacher]

We have to help and take care of the passengers as well as working with the street kids. Most of our activities are reading, writing, and training them to speak politely, which help reduce aggressive behaviors.

CHATCHAI

What is this symbol? Give me the correct answer.

GIRL

Cigarette!

BOY

Cigarette!

CHATCHAI

It looks like this symbol.

GIRL

Cigarette. Cigarettes are illegal.

CHATCHAI

Do not ... do not what?

CHILDREN

Do not smoke!

BOY

I'm glad that they are here to help us. When we don't have food, we can ask for their help.

CHATCHAI

Sometimes [when] we receive clothing donation, we would distribute it to them. They all would be happy. What do you do when you go to the Library Train?

BOY

Read and play soccer.

CHATCHAI

Children need motivation to learn. Besides teaching them to read and write, we find them activities to do or to play. I learnt magic so that I can show them and teach them. They really like it. When the children learn the magic tricks, they would demonstrate it to their friends. What to you want the railroad police to do for you?

GIRL

To teach us to be smart.

GIRL

Teacher, how do you read this?

CHATCHAI

Which one? Grass field. Grass field.

GIRL

Grass field.

MING 2

It's good here. I have friends and have the chance to study.

MING 1

I know that they care for us, and want us to have a good education.

JARAN

I never had anyone I could rely on until I met Father.

KIET

My adopted father found me a job.

FATHER JOE

These kids are survivors. They wouldn't end up here if they were not survivors, so we're very lucky, we're very honored to work with them.

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From the documentary Children of the Trains www.childrenofthetrains.com

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[end credits]