In What Ways Might I Work Towards Improving my Work With Street Children in Mumbai Through Participatory Action Research (PAR)?

This research is an illustration of a participatory action research (PAR) with street children with the key research question being, ‘In what ways might I work towards
improving my work with street children in Mumbai through participatory action research?’ The empirical work for this thesis has been conducted in the challenging
environment of the streets and a drop-in centre in Mumbai, India. At the heart of this participatory action research process has been the ideological belief of ensuring that street children’s own perspectives on their lives are taken into account while carrying out any work with them. Specifically, this research demonstrates how a group of street children were encouraged to reflect on their
day-to-day street experiences and talk about them through the use of a multimethod mosaic approach to different kinds of dialogue. As a result I have discovered how the street children became more confident to discuss their lived realities and the efforts they were capable of making in order to address their street-related concerns.
I have been committed, as is evident throughout this thesis, to understanding, both, the principles and practices of participation, in difficult contexts. As a result, the driving force behind this research process is the idea of ‘participation’ and its translation into my practical work with street-living children. Closely aligned to this philosophy of participation, have been my personal and professional values, which have influenced this research. The research is organised into a series of seven action-reflection cycles which have enabled me to cumulatively build insight and appreciation. This thesis, therefore, also tells the story of my developing insights on ways of engaging meaningfully with the street children and consequently, positions my ‘living I’ at the centre of this research process. My work in this thesis can be viewed in two parts based on the nature of actions within it. The research begins with my intentional action of learning about
the culture and ethics of working sensitively with street children. Building on this, I have then implemented the idea of participation in my empirical work through the
committed actions of using visual methods of drawings and photographs as prompts to develop meaningful dialogues with the street children. This thesis also documents the participatory process of using verbal methods of circle time group discussions and problem-posing “why-why?” and problem-solving “how-how?” methods with the street children. This study contributes to widening our understanding and knowledge about developing appropriate participatory approaches of working with street
children. Analysis of this thesis puts forward fourteen evidence-based appreciations grounded in the lived realities of my practical research experience that focus upon the key processes of working systematically with street children.