THE BBC ASKS ...

Why are children on the street?

Children are living rough in almost every African city. Why do young people take to the streets and what can be done about it? It is almost impossible to know exactly how many of Africa's children live on the street, hustling, begging and working. A recent report by Human Rights Watch documents the experience of some of the tens of thousands of children, it says, that live on the streets of Kinshasa. Like street children in other African countries and elsewhere in the world, they eke out a living in harsh conditions, sometimes turning to drugs and crime, and often becoming the victims of physical and sexual abuse.

What forces children onto the streets? Do some do so of their own accord? What do you think of street children? Are they villains or victims? Is society doing enough to help? Or will they become Africa's forgotten generation?

Some initial replies ...

• They suffer so much because their governments do not care and the very societies they come from are stuck in pre-stone-age superstitious beliefs about children who exhibit certain "unusual" traits or qualities.
     — UE, Kent, UK/Nigeria
• It is rare to see children of the rich and wealthy on the street. African governments should put a system in place to help these children to become useful to themselves, their families and the society in general. These children are more victims than villains. Vocational schools will help a lot.
     — Omorodion Osula, Boston, USA
• Political instability and economic woes in African countries are responsible for the high number of street children. Children are victims of politico-economic circumstances that are perpetuated by politicians whose primary motive is to have firm grip of power at all cost and engage in gross mismanagement of national wealth.
     — Sigismond Wilson, Sierra Leonean in USA

5 June 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/5048606.stm

 
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