U.S. Official Visits Salaam Baalak Trust’s Shelter for Children

April 28, 2006

Photo Credit: Vikas Narula

NEW DELHI – The U.S. Department of State’s Under Secretary for Management Henrietta H. Fore today visited the non-governmental organization Salaam Baalak Trust's (SBT) outreach center and shelter for boys located near the New Delhi Railway Station. This project receives U.S. assistance, managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the visit, Ms. Fore observed how USAID, through Family Health International, is supporting a comprehensive HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention project through SBT to meet the special needs of street and vulnerable children. The project was initiated in September 1999 and provides street children aged between 4 and 13 with food, medical aid, education, and essential supplies. It rehabilitates runaway children and, when appropriate, reunites them with their families.

Ms. Fore walked through the train station first and visited the meeting center for boys located above a police post. Next, she walked to the Salaam Baalak Center in Pahargunj opposite the railways station, toured the facility and received an orientation on the activities from Ms. Praveen Nair, Chairperson Trustee, Salaam Baalak Trust. The children performed a dance for their “didi (sister) from America.”

Later addressing the children, Under Secretary Fore remarked: “I come in friendship from the United States. As you think about the careers that you wish to take, I hope you will think of becoming doctors and educators, and think of coming to the United States.”

Henrietta Fore was sworn in as Under Secretary of State for Management at the U.S. Dept. of State in August 2005. In this role she is responsible for the people, resources, facilities, technology and security of the Department of State and is the Secretary of State’s principal advisor on management issues.

Prior to her appointment, Fore served as the 37th Director of the United States Mint in the Department of Treasury. She was also a Presidential appointee at the Department of State from 1989-1993, first as Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise in USAID and then Assistant Administrator for Asia.