We are all born into a form of identity all over the world. A child’s first identity is a family and a name that comes with it. It provides security and guarantees that they belong to a certain group. When we talk about street-connected children, the identity that comes to mind for most of us is ‘nuisance’. These are children who have lost parents, some from poor and broken homes, while others are driven to the street by a promise of a better life. It is therefore inappropriate to assume that these children must be treated differently by the community they yearn to be part of. On the street is a constant struggle for food, clothing, and shelter. While this is a daily plight for these children, they constantly have to be on guard for bullies and judgment from community members who use their physical state as a benchmark of who should belong or not.
Over the years, Starlight Foundation has advocated for access to amenities that matter in every child’s life for street-connected children. This time, we are admonishing ourselves against actions that drive these children further from redemption. Exploitation, abuse, and ridicule are common actions taken against street-connected children, which makes it difficult for them to come out of their situations.
The rift between street-connected children and the community has dragged on for a long time, with the latter losing many children to the street. It’s time to embrace them back into society with love, care, and respect for their rights. The right way is to always approach a street child to help them navigate their lifestyle for the better, a sure way of gaining them back onto the right path in society.
YENHOHIA, WE MATTER TOO.
#LetsTalkAboutThem #YENHOHIA #TheStreetMatters #RepresentationIsTheWay #WeMatterToo #StreetConnectedChildren #Inclusivity #SocialJustice #StarlightFoundation #TransformingLives #CommunityImpact
