“A deep sense of love and belonging is a fundamental need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, be loved, and belong. When those needs are unmet, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick” is a quote by researcher and author Brené Brown. It is therefore not surprising that street-connected children have been wrongfully judged over the years as public troublemakers and a risk to the community’s peace and security.
As the world continues to deliberate on actions and policies to curb streetism, one of the identified ways adopted this year is to make them feel they belong. Given this, the Starlight Foundation has asked several questions about what belonging means to street-connected children. These dialogues have shown that belonging means; feeling loved, having basic needs such as food and clothing, being respected, and acknowledging that street-connected children have their rights and mindset.
These actions that make them feel like they belong have been neglected for an extended period, making them form their systems and identities to gain advantages. For some of us, the only time we have made contact with street-connected children is not to form long-lasting contact but to have them as charity works ready to be displayed in photos as the dirt on society.
As a beacon of hope for street-connected children, Starlight Foundation has consistently advocated for sustainable actions that ensure that street-connected children are loved and have access to opportunities every child deserves.
Through the Menso Meka Ho Bi project funded by Adamfo Ghana, we have created a community where street-connected children can belong to an education environment that builds their capabilities while providing their parents and guardians with relevant skills that address their needs.
With this in mind, it is a reminder to individuals and society working towards a better, fairer world for street-connected children. Our act of love and togetherness will ensure that we do not lose them to a place that is not their home. Their home is with us within the community.
YENHOHIA, WE MATTER TOO.
#LetsTalkAboutThem #YENHOHIA #TheStreetMatters #RepresentationIsTheWay #WeMatterToo #StreetConnectedChildren #Inclusivity #SocialJustice #StarlightFoundation #TransformingLives #CommunityImpact
