Street Children

Ben Mtuwa | Street ChildrenBy Ben Mtuwa

The NGO SHADE grew out of the conviction to reach out, primarily, to street children and provide life-changing interventions by adopting a multi faceted approach that would be accepted and owned by the children themselves and their parents/guardians.

Those children under the age of twelve would be encouraged to attend and remain in school and their immediate needs like school materials, uniforms etc; would be provided. Those aged thirteen and above with lost appetite for school would be given the alternative of micro credits to enable them engage in income generating activities on a minor scale to start with.

A survey that was conducted revealed that most households where most children come from are female headed with no regular income and therefore without the capacity to offer them basic needs in the home, examples of scarce needs are: sufficient food, school materials, clothes etc... This results in children running away from home in search of food. They inevitably end up on the streets, begging!

Another approach shall consist of small credits given to guardians who will form clusters. It is envisaged that over time guardians will generate enough income to enable them sustain and support their families and hence keep the children at home and off the streets.

The issue that begs a question is, why another NGO? On top of that, a whole government ministry exists to address such anomalies among other things.
A simplistic answer is: They ARE here! The children are still out there, that's the reality. But what can The SHADE do that others are not doing?

To begin with, The SHADE will compliment the efforts of others in a similar endeavour. This NGO will not devote the bulk of its time writing proposals and reports. The members will spend most of their time doing what they are mandated to do. To give of themselves to ensuring that objectives are met. That at least the lives of some children who respond positively, are changed for the better. Periodic reports will be produced as necessary and these will not assume importance at the cost of action on the ground.

Today the streets are teeming with elements that could exploit, abuse and interfere with the lives of these street children, if nothing is done! And done quickly for their future hangs in balance.

Since July, 2002, counseling sessions were started with as few as five or so children in Lilongwe (City center). The number grew to sixteen by the end of the same year (Dec. 2002) and more boys are coming on board. There were two girls among them. On top of the counseling provided the girls were given small amounts of cash and they were encouraged to start IGAs of their choice in a bid to keep them from the streets but also earn some income, because girls were more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation than boys. This effort paid off in the sense that they stayed home and later proceeded to their home villages. On the contrary the IGAs did not work at all. It was reported that the seed money had been used for school related expenses. Fresh efforts are being considered to follow them up. The girls names are, Fali Banda (has both parents who do not work) and Janet who lives with her mother only (the father passed away)

Two boys, Ganizani Gerson aged 14 reside in the Chinese Gardens, grass thatched huts used as eating-places during the day and a hideout of shady characters during the night. It is situated in the middle of the City Center and not designated as a residential area but is used by the desperate and the homeless. Hardly a place for a boy to grow up in. Another boy, Isaac Mazunda aged fifteen simply lives under the culverts at the centre arcade.

In the year 2002, both boys were street wise, stern in appearance and NOT at school.
After a lengthy session of counselling they both showed interest in school and eventually joined one and the same school, Mphungu L.E.A. School. In standard three and four (Ganizani and Isaac) respectively in year 2003.

Their future though lies in small scale business given their age (in comparatively lower classes). The learning will ensure they know how to read and write only.

Some facts about the street children at City centre where the SHADE has concentrated its initial effort;

These boys:

Discussions with parents:

Early in the year 2003, a meeting was held where parents of at least three pairs of brothers attended. These were Ms. Paulo (mother to Tambuzeni and Canaan), Ms. Segi Jesse Phiri (mother to Abdu and Rajabu), Mrs Ngwata (mother to Manuel and Eliya).

Discussions centered around what to do about their sons. What motivation to provide in order to keep the children in school and stay home after school. What role the mothers would play.
Agreed in principal to involve the mothers by taking more responsibility over their children. Caring more. Committing themselves more to the welfare of the kids.
It was observed too that hunger in the homes was real and needed to be addressed. Also that children lacked basic needs to keep in school, for instance; school uniforms, exercise and text books, clothes to change in, pens and pencils. Even bathing soap and washing soap is hard to come by.

Effort to address some of the needs

7 January 2003 : Six exercise books, two text books and three pens bought for three boys at MK440.00

8 January 2003: Eleven boys showed up and we bought same number of exercise books and ten text books at a total cost of MK1,220.00

10 January 2003: Two mothers received MK700.00 and MK400.00 to buy school uniforms for their (two and one ) boys respectively.

14 January 2003: Ganizani Gerson (the boy living in the park) got MK200.00 to enable him buy a pair of shorts to put on when going to school. Abdu, another boy also received MK200.00 for a pair shorts. The mother of Manuel came back to receive MK200.00 additional to buy uniform, this was on top of the sum of MK400.00 obtained four days before.

16 January 2003: Mr Claude Guillemain contributed MK1400.00 towards school related expenses of the children.
Same day three boys; Masika Banda, Ganizani Gerson and Abdu Mussa received a total of MK210.00 for the purchase of T-shirts to use when they attend school.

31 January 2003: Disbursed MK2000.00 each to two mothers, Ms. Paulo and Mrs. Ngwata. The aim is to encourage the mothers to engage in small scale businesses to ensure food availability in the home, so that when the children return from school they will find something to eat. This approach was discussed in one of the meetings the mothers attended earlier in the year.

7 February 2003: Chimwemwe /Matsoka a street boy, in standard six and very clever in school suggested by himself to quit street life and concentrate on education firstly by returning home in the Northern region. He articulated his needs which included clean clothes transport charges. He was given MK600.00 to buy clothes.

11 February 2003: Chimwemwe was given MK800.00 for transport (K300.00&K500.00 contingencies) to Mzimba. It is the organization's sincere hope that the boy will grow up in a normal environment and really have a chance to obtain an education. Plans have been put in place to pay him occasional visits to encourage him and monitor his progress. This organization will make efforts to meet some of his costs of living where possible.
Undeniably, this must stand as one of the greatest testimonies of this organzation. A success story. This goal is attainable! It has to be appreciated that this boy was on the street during the existence of all these other organizations and government ministries. It stands to reason therefore that there is room for all organizations to work together for the common goal. Complementing each other's efforts.

21 February 2003: Bought a text book for a standard three boy, Gift Nyirenda at MK150.00.
The same day Ms. Paulo, a mother to street children received MK1600.00 as part of a revolving loan to embark on an income generating activity. This was in addition to the initial sum given her on 31/01/03 part of which was used to take care of funeral expenses when she lost her baby daughter.

24 February 2003: Four boys were given MK190.00 for some food during the day.

28 February 2003: Ms. Segi Jesse Phiri, a mother to street children: Abdu and Rajabu received MK2000.00, being seed money for an IGA of her choice.

27 February 2003: A rubber stamp showing the common seal of the SHADE NGO was purchased at MK550.00.

11 April 2003: The first loan repayment of MK300.00 was received from Ms. Paulo. The money was receipted and recorded in the register and kept in the cash box pending depositng into the revolving bank account.

February - March 2003: Ganizani Gersoni and Isaac Mazunda who were living in the bush went to live with a distant brother and a foster parent respectively. These two boys constituted a focal point of counselling and encouragement for the SHADE personnel. These boys were living under very difficult conditions. The environment in which they found themselves living in was a breeding ground for criminal elements and definitely no incentive for education. Their repatriation to homes (with the supervision of adults) will most certainly enhance their future prospects in so far as education and a decent life with hope is concerned. The SHADE will put in place means to follow progress of these boys through established links with their guardians and where need be support them in setting up small sustainable enterprises to ensure the boys remain in school.

The SHADE is extremely encouraged that since its inception three boys whose future was doomed to a beggar's life are permanently out of the streets. This is a modest achievement worth pursuing with renewed vigor.


…the on - going service

In the continuing effort to serve the street children, the organisation's officers purchased school uniform for one primary school pupil on 5th June 2003 at the cost MK500.00. The boy, Ganizani Gersoni is one of the three boys successfully reunited to his family this year in March 2003.

09/06/03: SHADE Officers bought a pair of shoes at MK300.00 the same boy (Gersoni)

17/06/03: The EU Micro Finance Advisor was approached to make contributions towards buying blankets for street children in order to address the problem of cold weather to which the children were exposed.
The Advisor responded generously by paying MK4,200.00 which was used to buy seven blankets and distributed to Ganizani Gersoni, Jeffrey Chigango, Mauel and Eliya Ngwata.

19/09/03: Tambuzeni and Kanna Paulo received one blanket, Abdu and Rajabu Mussa received two, Masta and Chimbi Banda received one.

Meetings with parents and guardians of street children for purpose of encouraging them to take more responsibility in motivating their children to stay in school

01st September 2003: held discussions with Mrs. Patricia Ngwata, Mrs Chigaru (for Mrs. Chigango), Mrs. Segi Jesse Phiri in Kawale II Township. These are parents and guardians to children: Eliya, Manuel, Jeffrey, Abdu, Rajabu.

02nd September 2003: spoken with Mrs Tifineti Banda Quoto and Mrs. Paulo, parents to children: Masta, Chimbi, Tambuzeni and Kanaan.

Observations
Parents and guardians of children give the impression of utter helplessness when it comes to keeping the boys off the streets. Interviewees had no plans to pull their children from begging on the streets because there were no alternatives to offer them. Everybody agreed with everybody else that hunger was the major factor that drove the children away from home. Some of the obvious reasons for parents' inability to take proper care of children includes large families in households still headed by men. Usually the man's earnings do not correspond with the responsibilities he must discharge. For instance, there is a family where a man's wage after thirty days is MK1,800.00 and yet he has seven children and a wife who does not work. All of them live in a rented house. This is an economic trap! Other families are female headed. The mothers do not hold regular jobs. In these cases earning a living is an extremely hard job. No wonder the children end up on the streets.

Possible solutions
The meetings have brought to light some possible solutions to the problems of street children. Women agreed to form groups that would engage in small income generating activities. If only the SHADE organisation would provide capital. The idea was welcomed in all the townships where the children come from, i.e. Area 44, 23, Kawale II (two groups on account of the large area). The purpose of adopting this line of action is to create a conducive atmosphere in the home so that the children will be motivated to remain in school and concentrate in their studies. Now that the children will find food when they come home after school, they will stay away from the streets. This is the objective of the organisation.

The SHADE organisation should consider another line of action for those street children that are older. One possible method is to provide skills training. This section of kids is too streetwise to concentrate on regular school.

Groups
Three groups have been formed in three different townships for the purpose of carrying on micro projects to raise money for their families, one more group is in the process of being established. This will be the second in Kawale alone because Kawale township is a large area and holds a large number of needy children. This group will comprise parents/guardians of street children as well as those who look after orphans.

1. Kawale II Township

Name : Yamikani Women's Group
Membership :

2. Area 44

Name : Mtimaumodzi Womens' Group
Membership :


3. Area 23

Name : Chikondi Women in Development
Membership :


23/09/03: Chikondi Women in Development group in Area 23(Gaga Village) received a cash capital of MK5,000.00 to start off a small business. The activity involves buying live chickens at wholesale price and resaling them at a profit. The other activity entails buying maize and grinding it into flour and selling it in small packets.

23/09/03: Ntimaumodzi Women in Development group in Area 44 was given a loan of MK5,000.00. The women of this group will engage in fish (smoked) selling.

24/09/03: Yamikani Women's Group in Kawale II township was given MK5,000.00. This group will buy and sell firewood.

Methods: There are presently six women in each group. The loan is given to the first pair (two women) to use the money for trading in the first two weeks. The principal sum is returned to the SHADE which will in turn give it back to the second pair (of women) for another two weeks until all women have had a turn. In the meantime those who took the first turns will have continued to trade with the profit earned. A bank account will be opened for each group for savings. It is foreseen that every group will eventually access loan facilities directly from the bank when adequate savings are made and thereby make the groups more independent financially.

Rationale: Access to credit for these IGA (Income Generating Activities) involving women groups in three different townships for the purpose of carrying on micro projects to raise money for their families, should be developed in conjunction with appropriate technical assistance. As the project has been initiated by the Rural & Micro Finance staff, it is anticipated that Ministry of Agriculture may establish a Private Technical Assistance (PTA) Unit. This Unit will develop a framework through which families projects are reviewed and appropriate technical services for the productive activities are identified. Depending on the capability of the women groups to pay, the Unit will provide, on a declining scale, loans to the groups.

The SHADE is successful because it:
  1. proves that poor families are willing to repay their dues; and
  2. encourages a change in micro finance practice, including banking practices and technical assistance as an allowable credit cost for credit.

This activity will build on these experiences and work directly with MOAIFS to improve the current pilot project into a functional private technical assistance operation, for on- and off-family income generating activities in rural areas. The PTA Unit should also be the control division, building the competence of women groups, strengthening the capacity of organized groups.