In many homes such children, who do not have access to better caretakers are forced to interrupt school education and, assume roles, which they are unprepared for. They are abused and rejected and many respond to these pressures and roles by trying their luck in the cities where they are likely to join the growing numbers of street children.

A FEATURE OF DANGER

    Among the social scourges, which threaten the development of the human capital of our nation, Streetism is gradually becoming a permanent feature of the dangers threatening the development of our nation today. Streetism aggravates some of the serious dangers facing the world today, for example, disease infections (HIV/AIDS) and Sexually Transmitted Disease, overcrowding, Drug abuse and Crime.

    For this reason, the fight against Streetism should not be the responsibility of the government alone but should be the concern of every citizen.

    Our young people and children found on the streets are referred to, as “Street Children” who constitute a major potential human capital for socio-economic development and therefore needs particular attention.

    “Street children” as society has stigmatized them, sounds as if they were begotten by the streets, but, we forget that these children on the street are victims of circumstances.

   To be continued

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