THE background pertaining to the genesis of street kids in most towns in Zambia started is not clear but what is clear is that without any immediate intervention to the scourge, we are headed to the cliff over this issue as the devastating effects of the scourge are cross-cutting.
It is common knowledge that most of the children were compelled into street living due to hardships such as coming from broken homes, loss of parents, irresponsible parents, and poverty. Others were attracted to streets by peer pressure and money seeking habits.
These children end up living and working on the streets for a plethora of reasons, including death of parents, breakdown of families, family violence, natural disasters, economic hardships, and drug and alcohol abuse and to survive, these children often beg and scavenge.
Most of these children often come from impoverished backgrounds and may have experienced abuse, neglect, or the loss of their parents. They are forced to fend for themselves and survive on the streets, often engaging in activities such as begging, petty theft, or informal labour to earn money for food and shelter.
Street children in Zambia face numerous challenges and are vulnerable to various risks. They lack access to education, healthcare, and proper nutrition, which can hinder their physical and cognitive development. They are also at a higher risk of exploitation, including child trafficking, child labour, and sexual abuse.
Additionally, street children often face discrimination and stigmatization from society, which further marginalizes them and limits their opportunities for a better future. Various organizations and initiatives in Zambia are working to address the issue of street children.
These organizations provide shelter, education, healthcare, and vocational training to street children, aiming to reintegrate them into society and provide them with a chance for a better life. We know of orphanages that are doing extremely well in this score but there are children who have resisted this olive branch as stories of children running away from orphanages and after-cares have continued coming up. Some children cannot stomach the idea of being kept in orphanages at the expense of being on the streets making little Ngwees through begging.
This is how the problem is, requiring continued efforts from the Government, civil society, and the international community to protect and support street children in Zambia.
The problem of street kids in Zambia is indeed complex and multifaceted. High levels of poverty in Zambia, particularly in urban areas, result in families struggling to meet basic needs, leading to children being sent to the streets to fend for themselves or contribute to the family’s income. Many street children in Zambia come from broken or dysfunctional families.
Factors such as parental death, divorce, domestic violence, or substance abuse can disrupt family structures and force children onto the streets as a means of survival. Lack or limited access to quality education is a significant challenge for street children. Without proper education, these children lack the necessary skills and knowledge to break the cycle of poverty and find stable employment opportunities.
Zambia’s social support systems, such as child protection services and rehabilitation programs, are often inadequate or inaccessible for street children. This lack of support exacerbates their vulnerability and hinders efforts to reintegrate them into society.
Street children in Zambia also face discrimination and stigmatization from society, which further marginalizes them and limits their opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration. This social stigma can make it difficult for them to access essential services and support.
There is also an issue of lack of awareness and coordination: There is often a lack of awareness and coordination among stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, working on the issue of street children. This can lead to duplication of efforts, inefficient resource allocation, and gaps in service provision.
For us to address this issue, we need a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach. Efforts should focus on poverty reduction, strengthening social support systems, improving access to education and healthcare, addressing family issues, and combating stigma and discrimination. Collaboration between the Government, civil society organizations, communities, and international partners is crucial to effectively tackle the issue of street kids in Zambia.
To curb the issue of children on the streets in Zambia, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is needed. Some strategies that can be implemented include strengthening social support systems. Zambia should invest in and strengthen social support systems, including child protection services, rehabilitation programs, and family support services.
These systems should focus on preventing family breakdown, providing counselling and assistance to vulnerable families, and reintegrating street children back into their families whenever possible. Education and vocational training is also another measure because ensuring access to quality education is crucial in preventing children from ending up on the streets.
Zambia should prioritize efforts to improve access to education for all children, including those from marginalized backgrounds and those on the streets. Additionally, vocational training programs can equip older street children with skills that can help them secure employment and break the cycle of poverty and the Government, through the Zambia National Service had tried to implement this strategy some years back hence the need to look at how far we went and what went wrong, and then device ways through which this could be done better. 3.
As a country, we should also prioritise poverty reduction at all levels. Addressing the root causes of child streetism requires efforts to alleviate poverty. Zambia should implement poverty reduction measures, including job creation, income-generating activities, and social protection programs targeting vulnerable families. This can help prevent children from being pushed onto the streets due to economic hardships.
Establishing rehabilitation centres and shelters that provide a safe and supportive environment for street children is crucial. These centres should offer education, healthcare, counselling, and vocational training to help children reintegrate into society. Reintegration efforts should involve working closely with families and communities to ensure a sustainable transition.
Raising awareness about the issue of street children and advocating for their rights is essential. This includes sensitizing communities, Government officials, and the general public about the challenges faced by street children and the need for support and intervention. Advocacy efforts can help reduce stigma and discrimination, promote policy changes, and mobilize resources for addressing the issue.
Effective collaboration and coordination among Government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and international partners are crucial. This includes sharing resources, expertise, and best practices, as well as ensuring a coordinated and holistic approach to addressing the issue. Overall, addressing the vice of children on the streets in Zambia requires a long-term commitment, adequate resources, and a multi-sectoral approach that tackles the root causes and provides comprehensive support to vulnerable children and their families.