Street Children

In Kenya, any child below the age of 18 is legally recognized as an individual. However, street children in this country find themselves without hope as they are deprived of the rights outlined in the “Declaration of Children’s Rights.” These rights include crucial aspects such as child survival, development, protection, and participation. Instead, these vulnerable children are prematurely thrust into adulthood, burdened with the overwhelming responsibility of caring for their younger siblings. Furthermore, they face a lack of education and limited or no access to recreational facilities appropriate for their age. The discrimination they endure and the negative labels they are given violate their rights and unfairly lead the public to perceive them as dangerous threats to society. Thus, they bear an unjust attribution of responsibility for the challenging lives they are forced to lead.

The environment in which street children struggle to survive poses numerous health hazards, leaving them without hope for a better future. Among these hazards, the most evident are the unsanitary conditions they are forced to live in. These conditions result in visible consequences such as skin rashes, coughs, open wounds, lice, and bed bugs. Additionally, these vulnerable children commonly experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, further deepening their sense of hopelessness. They suffer from a lack of love, protection, and constant insecurity, leaving them emotionally deprived. To make matters worse, the grip of severe poverty restricts their access to essential medical treatment. This unfortunate circumstance often leads to situations where curable diseases claim the lives of some street children, amplifying their despair while living on the streets.