My Attention has been drawn to the Number of Minors on Our Streets, Busia Town with many of them coming from the neighbouring County, Uganda.
Most of these teenagers do hawking while others beg especially for money while others are have sex for cash!
Some cases might be sadly genuine; Orphans with no one to take care of them and siblings to look after, Victims of Sexual Abuse, while others may just be School drop outs, defiant kids who just want to ‘experience’ the world.
Some causes are: Domestic Violence which leads to kids running away from home, Parental negligence and Family disintegration, Poverty and Economical instability…Some Parents send their Children to beg on the streets while they sit at home, faking of Disabilities, Child Labour, a Culture of Laziness, and Peer pressure.
These Children being Out there on the streets with no one to take care of them exposes them to high risk.
Risks of Sexual Abuse like Rape, Drug and Substance abuse, Diseases and involving themselves in petty crimes that sometimes lead them to being victims of Mob Justice, others end up in prisons with no one to bail them out or follow up on their cases.
The streets also affects their mental health making them aggressive and vulgar against the people they think are “living normal”
Street Children suffer humiliation and harassment, get sick with no medical attention, Sexual Abuse and their Human Rights violated, Lack proper Menstrual Education and Hygiene, e.g Lack Sanitary towels for the girls, food poisoning, and cases of Mob justice.
We need to have more laws and policies address this issue, Children below the legal age have a right to be protected and be well taken care of. From Access to Medical Attention, Rehabilitation, Clothing, Food Programs, Shelter through Orphanages, Support Education for those who want to go to school, a listening ear, mentorship and nurturing of talents, Encourage Positive change of behaviour, Show Affection and give them Hope and make them feel the Acts of Humanity.
Please share your thoughts with Us about this Concern and Your Experience with Street Children.
