Street Child Africa

Street Child Africa is a UK company limited by guarantee, Reg. No 3597252. UK Reg.
Charity no. 1074832 Reg. Office:- Brabant House, Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey KT7 0EY

About Street Children

It is horrifying to think that many Africans are condemned at birth to a future of poverty, disease and premature death. It is not surprising then, with communities and families under stresses such as these that street children emerge.

'Street' children have been given this anonymous label because the 'street' is where they live their lives out: hustling, sleeping, working, eating. The street is their home and this is where their daily struggle is endured.

Street boys at night on the streets in Zambia

Currently in Africa there are a few national governments addressing the very real needs of these marginalized citizens; there simply is not enough money to go around. It is up to grass root organisations and NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to reach out to these children and offer them a helping hand. This is where Street Child Africa listens and helps.

It gets cold at night in the winter and so street children sniff glue as a guard against the cold and to escape from their struggle to survive for a few short hours.

Zambian Street boys in the market - their home - at night

Many Street Children are:

  • Orphans - because of disease and conflict
  • Separated from families - because of domestic violence and every kind of abuse
  • Ill - through HIV/Aids passed on congenitally, or through unprotected sex. Malnutrition severely affects their growth and resistance to tropical diseases such as malaria which kills over one million Africans a year
  • Stigmatised - they live on the edge of society
  • Uneducated - they have no access to schooling
  • Abused - they are at best seen as a 'nuisance', at worst beaten by police and those in authority
  • Anonymous - they have no birth registration documents, no health cards, no identity within their community

But did you know that many street children are:

  • Ambitious - they have dreams and aspirations to do well
  • Tough - Surviving in the roughest of environments
  • Resilient - you have to be able to survive on your own and rely on no one.

Click here to see pictures by Rik Walton of street children in Ghana.

In 2003 Wendy Jones asked Street Children in Accra, Ghana some simple questions and recorded what they said. Their lives may seem very different from our lives but by reading their replies we can see that they are people just like us, often with the same dreams and
aspirations.

"If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?"
Simon, 14: "Shoes. One Shirt. Sneakers."

"What makes you happy?"
Sandra, 4: "Clapping Games"
"What makes you cry?"
Sandra, 4: "When I am hungry"
"If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?"
Sandra, 4 "A dress. Sandals. Eggs."

"What do you think about last thing at night before you go to sleep?"
Godfrey, 18: "I think about the next day. Because I think that evening has passed so I have to think about the next day. As for the night I have no place to go and I just sleep"

"What would you have if you could have anything?"
Peter, 10 "A necklace, a watch, a bed I can sleep in, a TV, a video tape - any tape, a chair."

   "What would you like to do in your future?"
    Larni, 18 "In the future, if I'm rich - I know I will be rich -     yes, I hope, I hope I will be rich, I will care for street
    chilren. Children with broken legs who can't work..."

"What do you regret?"
Betty, 18: "I will say I regret being a street girl and I regret picking a boyfriend. And I regret having bad friends - those that don't give good advice and wish for your downfall".

"Whats your favourite thing?"
Aisha, 19 "I have a long black dress. I used to wear it and go anywhere. If I go to an exhibition or to visit some people I can wear it. I love my long dress. It's fitted with sleves. It's black".