The Unheard Voices: Street Children in The Unheard Voices: Street Children in Kenya from a local and Global Kenya from a local and Global

perspectiveperspective““Street and working children are a common Street and working children are a common sight these days in cities around the world sight these days in cities around the world

especially in the poorer regions of the south. especially in the poorer regions of the south. Deprived of the joys of a normal childhood and Deprived of the joys of a normal childhood and adolescence, many of them die early in a state adolescence, many of them die early in a state

of extreme poverty, or from bullets full of of extreme poverty, or from bullets full of hatred. Those who escape, struggle to survive, hatred. Those who escape, struggle to survive,

roam the streets or waste away in despair, roam the streets or waste away in despair, relieving their suffering by escaping into the relieving their suffering by escaping into the imaginary in an often self-destructive way” imaginary in an often self-destructive way”

(UNESCO, 1995). (UNESCO, 1995).

Realities and ConditionsRealities and Conditions Lack of self sufficiency,Lack of self sufficiency, Lack access to essential services such as Lack access to essential services such as

education and health care,education and health care, They face violence, drug abuse and sexual They face violence, drug abuse and sexual

exploitation, and disease including HIV/Aids, exploitation, and disease including HIV/Aids, Poorly paid jobs, loneliness, police harassment Poorly paid jobs, loneliness, police harassment

and even death. and even death. Homelessness, Homelessness, Lack of identification papers (West ,2003)Lack of identification papers (West ,2003) They do not show up on the national They do not show up on the national

census( UNESCO, 1995). census( UNESCO, 1995).

Understanding the TermsUnderstanding the Terms Rotheram-Borus et.al(1991) Rotheram-Borus et.al(1991) definesdefines homeless homeless

youths to include those who have left their homes youths to include those who have left their homes without a parent's or guardian's consent without a parent's or guardian's consent (runaways), those who are thrown out of their (runaways), those who are thrown out of their homes (throwaways), those who leave homes (throwaways), those who leave problematic social service placements (system problematic social service placements (system kids), and those lacking basic shelter (street kids), and those lacking basic shelter (street youths). youths).

further divided into ‘children on the further divided into ‘children on the streets’ and ‘children of the streets’. streets’ and ‘children of the streets’. Children on the streets maintain family Children on the streets maintain family contact and often return home to sleep, contact and often return home to sleep, but spend most of their time on the but spend most of their time on the streets either working or having fun. streets either working or having fun. Children of the streets are youth who Children of the streets are youth who live, work, and sleep on the streets live, work, and sleep on the streets (Ensign, 1998).(Ensign, 1998).

Background to International Youth Background to International Youth HomelessnessHomelessness

Homelessness emerged as a public concern in the Homelessness emerged as a public concern in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s

By the mid-1980s to early 1990s, the visibly By the mid-1980s to early 1990s, the visibly homeless were becoming a common sight even homeless were becoming a common sight even among those countries with well-developed social among those countries with well-developed social safety-net programs, such as Canada. Glasser & safety-net programs, such as Canada. Glasser & Brigman (1999)Brigman (1999)

Street children in Africa are a recent development Street children in Africa are a recent development but frequently reflects patterns of exploitation but frequently reflects patterns of exploitation emanating from colonialism in the early 20th emanating from colonialism in the early 20th century. Bamurange as cited in Kilbride (2000) century. Bamurange as cited in Kilbride (2000)

Extent of International Extent of International HomelessnessHomelessness

The hidden and isolated nature of street children makes The hidden and isolated nature of street children makes accurate statistics difficult to gatheraccurate statistics difficult to gather

UNICEF (1989) estimates there are approximately 100 UNICEF (1989) estimates there are approximately 100 million street children worldwide with that number million street children worldwide with that number constantly growing.constantly growing.

There are up to 40 million street children in Latin America. There are up to 40 million street children in Latin America. In India, there are at least 18 million and 10million in AfricaIn India, there are at least 18 million and 10million in Africa

In Guatemala, 1.45 million children work on the streets in a In Guatemala, 1.45 million children work on the streets in a country where the total population is about 8 million. In country where the total population is about 8 million. In Philippines, 1.2 mil children live and work on the streets Philippines, 1.2 mil children live and work on the streets while in, Thailand, an estimated 800,000 girls under the while in, Thailand, an estimated 800,000 girls under the age of 20 work on the streets or in brothels as prostitutes age of 20 work on the streets or in brothels as prostitutes ( Rocky. M in Congressional Hearing, 1992). ( Rocky. M in Congressional Hearing, 1992).

In the United States, estimates of homeless youth range In the United States, estimates of homeless youth range from 500,000 to 2million (Enisgn, 1998) from 500,000 to 2million (Enisgn, 1998)

In Canada it is estimated at 15,000 and over in Greater In Canada it is estimated at 15,000 and over in Greater Toronto area alone by McCrossin Toronto area alone by McCrossin

Kenya: IntroductionKenya: Introduction Located in East Africa with a population of Located in East Africa with a population of

around 37.9 million people, 2.78 growth rate around 37.9 million people, 2.78 growth rate (2008 est), 60% of this population is below 20 (2008 est), 60% of this population is below 20 years of age, with 40% unemployment rate. 50% years of age, with 40% unemployment rate. 50% of the population is estimated to be below of the population is estimated to be below poverty line (2000 est.)poverty line (2000 est.)

The life expectancy rate in Kenya is said to be The life expectancy rate in Kenya is said to be 56.64 years. 56.64 years.

The total area is 582,650 sq km (CIA, 2008). The total area is 582,650 sq km (CIA, 2008). It is estimated that 1.2 million people are living It is estimated that 1.2 million people are living

with HIV/AIDS and 150,000 HIV/AIDS deaths with HIV/AIDS and 150,000 HIV/AIDS deaths (2003 est.) (CIA,2008)(2003 est.) (CIA,2008)

Street Children Situation in KenyaStreet Children Situation in Kenya Estimated 250,000 children in Kenya living on the streets.Estimated 250,000 children in Kenya living on the streets.

Marginalized from basic services and support Marginalized from basic services and support

Harassment and abuse from the police and within the juvenile justice systemHarassment and abuse from the police and within the juvenile justice system

For some the street is the only home they know- born and bled in the streets.For some the street is the only home they know- born and bled in the streets.

Succumb to demeaning ways of living e.g. voluntary/forced engagement in child Succumb to demeaning ways of living e.g. voluntary/forced engagement in child labor, crime involvement, forced/opted early girl child marriages, prostitution, labor, crime involvement, forced/opted early girl child marriages, prostitution, begging, rampant abuse of cheaply & readily available drugs e.g. bhang, glue and begging, rampant abuse of cheaply & readily available drugs e.g. bhang, glue and cigarettes. cigarettes.

Rape, sodomy, police arrests and harassments, hunger and serious physical assaults Rape, sodomy, police arrests and harassments, hunger and serious physical assaults by both members of the public and older colleagues in the streets. by both members of the public and older colleagues in the streets.

Prostitution: one in 10 cases less than 10 years of age involved in sex work. Prostitution: one in 10 cases less than 10 years of age involved in sex work. According to a new report on the sexual exploitation of adolescents and youth on the According to a new report on the sexual exploitation of adolescents and youth on the Kenyan coast, 30 per cent, or more than one in four girls between 12 and 18 years, Kenyan coast, 30 per cent, or more than one in four girls between 12 and 18 years, are selling sex for cash (UNICEF 2006).are selling sex for cash (UNICEF 2006).

Push FactorsPush Factors incompatibility with family and step family members, disrupted incompatibility with family and step family members, disrupted

and dysfunctional families, neglectful parents, coercive and and dysfunctional families, neglectful parents, coercive and abusive parents (emotional, physical and sexual abuse), parental abusive parents (emotional, physical and sexual abuse), parental rejection and problems in school that often produced further rejection and problems in school that often produced further conflict with parents by (Hagan & McCarthy 1997)conflict with parents by (Hagan & McCarthy 1997)

Rejection and stigmatization by family and community of orgin for Rejection and stigmatization by family and community of orgin for gay and lesbian identified youth are also reasons for gay and lesbian identified youth are also reasons for homelessness (Ensign, 1998)homelessness (Ensign, 1998)

Structural adjustment programmes and globalization has led to Structural adjustment programmes and globalization has led to rapid urbanization. One of the negative consequences of these rapid urbanization. One of the negative consequences of these changes is the emergence of large numbers of children on the changes is the emergence of large numbers of children on the streets. (kopoka,2000) streets. (kopoka,2000)

Poverty Poverty Abuse of drugs and armed conflict. A case point is the election Abuse of drugs and armed conflict. A case point is the election

violence in Kenya after the 2007 general election, many children violence in Kenya after the 2007 general election, many children lost their guardians or they were displaced. lost their guardians or they were displaced.

HIV/Aids is also a cause for children coming onto the streets HIV/Aids is also a cause for children coming onto the streets especially in the global south. (West, 2003)especially in the global south. (West, 2003)

HealthHealth Adolescents have unique barriers to health which include Adolescents have unique barriers to health which include

confusion over legal consent to seek care, office hours that confusion over legal consent to seek care, office hours that conflict with school, and discomfort with traditional health conflict with school, and discomfort with traditional health care settings. care settings.

Health status data on homeless adolescents are limited in Health status data on homeless adolescents are limited in both quantity and quality. They have greater problems with both quantity and quality. They have greater problems with access to health care, including a more profound lack of access to health care, including a more profound lack of insurance/payment sources, anxiety over issues of insurance/payment sources, anxiety over issues of confidentiality. Enisgn (1998)confidentiality. Enisgn (1998)

The risky behavior by street children put them at health risk The risky behavior by street children put them at health risk which include susceptibility to infectious diseases; which include susceptibility to infectious diseases; vulnerability to HIV/AIDs, physical and sexual abuse and vulnerability to HIV/AIDs, physical and sexual abuse and drug abuse. drug abuse.

HealthHealth Resistance by street children to accessing the formal health system, primarily due to Resistance by street children to accessing the formal health system, primarily due to

a perceived discomfort and fear that they would not receive the intended care, or a perceived discomfort and fear that they would not receive the intended care, or else would receive care in a very unsupportive and disrespectful manner. Karabanow else would receive care in a very unsupportive and disrespectful manner. Karabanow et.al (2007) et.al (2007)

Street children are seen as “dirty” this makes them not accepted in health care Street children are seen as “dirty” this makes them not accepted in health care settings. Homeless youth are more likely to seek medical attention after they are no settings. Homeless youth are more likely to seek medical attention after they are no longer able to ignore a health problem. Homeless youth don’t go for community longer able to ignore a health problem. Homeless youth don’t go for community health services for fear of being stigmatized as homeless.health services for fear of being stigmatized as homeless.

The delivery of HIV-related prevention and treatment programs to homeless youths is The delivery of HIV-related prevention and treatment programs to homeless youths is especially difficult because of the life stressors, living situations, and adjustment especially difficult because of the life stressors, living situations, and adjustment problem of these youths. For example, trainers in HIV prevention programs have tried problem of these youths. For example, trainers in HIV prevention programs have tried to involve families in reducing adolescents "HIV-related risk acts (e.g., Winnet, to involve families in reducing adolescents "HIV-related risk acts (e.g., Winnet, 1991).However, families are typically the sources of the greatest stress for homeless 1991).However, families are typically the sources of the greatest stress for homeless youths and so cannot be mobilized as supportive resources. (Rotheram-Borus, youths and so cannot be mobilized as supportive resources. (Rotheram-Borus, Koopmaq,& Ehrhardt,1991).Koopmaq,& Ehrhardt,1991).

In terms of mental health, emotional distress and psychiatric problems are three In terms of mental health, emotional distress and psychiatric problems are three times more common among homeless youths than among adolescents in general.times more common among homeless youths than among adolescents in general.

According to a study conducted on Exploring the health Experiences of Halifax street According to a study conducted on Exploring the health Experiences of Halifax street children, it found out that majority of the street youth involved in the study children, it found out that majority of the street youth involved in the study suggested that street life enhanced one’s feeling of stress, anxiety and depression-suggested that street life enhanced one’s feeling of stress, anxiety and depression-much of this related to the continual requirement to meet basic needs of shelter, much of this related to the continual requirement to meet basic needs of shelter, food and clothing. (Karabanow et.al, 2007)food and clothing. (Karabanow et.al, 2007)

EducationEducation Many street children in Kenya come to the streets after Many street children in Kenya come to the streets after

being forced to leave school by poverty. While others are being forced to leave school by poverty. While others are “pushed out” (Killbride, 2000)“pushed out” (Killbride, 2000)

In addition to enrollment problems, the high mobility In addition to enrollment problems, the high mobility associated with homelessness has severe educational associated with homelessness has severe educational consequences. consequences.

Street children generally lack access to public education Street children generally lack access to public education services. Some are unable to go to school because they services. Some are unable to go to school because they need to work, because of discrimination or because of need to work, because of discrimination or because of costs.costs.

In most cases street children cannot access services In most cases street children cannot access services because they do not have any form of identification. They because they do not have any form of identification. They are regarded as social drop-outs. are regarded as social drop-outs.

While the government has waived the tuition fee and While the government has waived the tuition fee and provides textbooks, other classroom materials such as provides textbooks, other classroom materials such as exercise books are still the parent's responsibility (Mushtaq, exercise books are still the parent's responsibility (Mushtaq, 2008) .2008) .

Social ConnectionSocial Connection Street children are seen as a public nuisance by Street children are seen as a public nuisance by

the general public. They have no real connections the general public. They have no real connections with the public but they do develop strong with the public but they do develop strong connections amongst themselves.connections amongst themselves.

In Kenya Street children are known as chokora, In Kenya Street children are known as chokora, roughly translated from Kiswahili as pokers at roughly translated from Kiswahili as pokers at dustbins or garbage heaps in search of food and dustbins or garbage heaps in search of food and other valuables (Killbride et.al, 2000) Kenyan other valuables (Killbride et.al, 2000) Kenyan street children are frequently observed sniffing street children are frequently observed sniffing glue. The “glue bottle” in the public mind glue. The “glue bottle” in the public mind negatively symbolizes what is taken to be in negatively symbolizes what is taken to be in Kenya, the defining characteristic of street Kenya, the defining characteristic of street children: that is people who are trouble makers children: that is people who are trouble makers and a threat to society (Kilbride et.al, 2000) and a threat to society (Kilbride et.al, 2000)

ExploitationExploitation

Vulnerable to hazardous and/or exploitative labor Vulnerable to hazardous and/or exploitative labor situations. Many formal and informal sectors depend on situations. Many formal and informal sectors depend on children as a source of cheap labor. (West, 2003)children as a source of cheap labor. (West, 2003)

Insatiable demand for child sex workers. Children may be Insatiable demand for child sex workers. Children may be engaged in commercial sex work just to make a living. For engaged in commercial sex work just to make a living. For the girl child sexual exploitation is not only by strangers but the girl child sexual exploitation is not only by strangers but also by the street boys as a form of payment for protection.also by the street boys as a form of payment for protection.

A case in point is during the skirmishes that happened in A case in point is during the skirmishes that happened in Kenya during the 2007 general elections. Street children Kenya during the 2007 general elections. Street children were used by politicians to cause havoc and chaos and as a were used by politicians to cause havoc and chaos and as a result many were killed and some injured.result many were killed and some injured.

EmployabilityEmployability

Most of the street children are Most of the street children are illiterate with no basic skills to help illiterate with no basic skills to help them get proper jobs. The attitude of them get proper jobs. The attitude of the society towards street youth acts the society towards street youth acts as a barrier even to employment. as a barrier even to employment. They are treated with suspicion and They are treated with suspicion and seen as thieves.seen as thieves.

InterventionsInterventionsGovernment LevelGovernment Level

Support the efforts of Non-Government organizations in Support the efforts of Non-Government organizations in addressing the issue of street children. addressing the issue of street children.

It’s also the role of the government to protect all citizens which It’s also the role of the government to protect all citizens which includes the street children.includes the street children.

It’s also important to get the business sector involved with the It’s also important to get the business sector involved with the oversight of the Government because more often than not they oversight of the Government because more often than not they are the beneficiaries of cheap labor provided by street children.are the beneficiaries of cheap labor provided by street children.

It is the responsibility of the government to develop a system that It is the responsibility of the government to develop a system that will include the street children population to be reflected in the will include the street children population to be reflected in the national census.national census.

Promote and increase access to family planning services Promote and increase access to family planning services especially for the rural communities. This will help to reverse the especially for the rural communities. This will help to reverse the population explosion in Kenya.population explosion in Kenya.

Develop more employment, recreational and participation Develop more employment, recreational and participation opportunities to channel youth’s energy in positive directions and opportunities to channel youth’s energy in positive directions and enhance their ability to make contribution towards nation building.enhance their ability to make contribution towards nation building.

Organization LevelOrganization Level Commitment by organizations dealing with street children Commitment by organizations dealing with street children

through networking.This includes improving through networking.This includes improving communication, being less competitive about funding and communication, being less competitive about funding and sharing all the available resources. Services need to be sharing all the available resources. Services need to be Linked together to provide a more holistic approach. Linked together to provide a more holistic approach.

Programs designed for helping youth living in the streets Programs designed for helping youth living in the streets should be flexible enough to accommodate their individual should be flexible enough to accommodate their individual needs rather than conducting a blanket intervention that needs rather than conducting a blanket intervention that gives no room to meet individual needs.gives no room to meet individual needs.

Organizations to provide youth friendly services especially Organizations to provide youth friendly services especially in health centers by ensuring staff that are trained in in health centers by ensuring staff that are trained in providing services to children and youth.providing services to children and youth.

Community LevelCommunity Level Teachers: They have daily contact with children and Teachers: They have daily contact with children and

interact with many parents. They should be able to identify interact with many parents. They should be able to identify emerging problems before they become critical, to emerging problems before they become critical, to communicate with parents and to assist in referring families communicate with parents and to assist in referring families to professionals.to professionals.

Family outreach programs: available to families to help they Family outreach programs: available to families to help they cope with issues at the family level. To deal with issues cope with issues at the family level. To deal with issues such as communication, decision making, self esteem, such as communication, decision making, self esteem, parental control. parental control.

To address the attitude of the society towards street To address the attitude of the society towards street children there is need to highlight the success stories, of children there is need to highlight the success stories, of how street children can be reformed how street children can be reformed

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