Engaging in group research with migrant children: Innovative data collection method for migrant children in Delhi

In India, data point to a considerable number of children leaving or running away from their parental homes in rural villages and migrating to urban areas. Many end up in cities like Delhi where they are exposed to a number of risks and vulnerabilities. While many of these children reach cities with dreams of ‘making it big’, the reality of living on the street is fraught with challenges and danger. Against this backdrop, this study looked at the lived experiences of migrant children in Delhi using a group method- an innovative approach that is increasingly being used in research with children. Innovative techniques such as drawing, storytelling, and the like were used to initiate discussions with and among migrant children to help explore their pre- and post-migration experiences. At the end of the group sessions, many children reported that they felt heard and listened to, that their voice mattered, and that they had developed a sense of self-worth. It also produced rich data that yielded deep insights into the lived experiences of migrant children living on the streets of Delhi. Hence, it can be concluded that group work is an effective way of gathering data from migrant children. However, there are some of the issues and challenges with using group work as a research method with migrant children in an urban setting, which need to be considered in each context.