street child

Street Children

We believe that every street child should be able to dream for a future

Street children, Ghana

Street children, Ghana2

Street children, Ghana3

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A street child is a person under the age of 18 years who spend all or a significant amount of time living and or working on the streets. Many of these are young vulnerable girls who are prone to exploitation, abuse and trafficking.

Street children live in deplorable conditions where they are exposed to a mosaic of infectious diseases. Their poor diet and erratic sleep patterns combine to exacerbate their vulnerability to pathogens. A significant proportion of “street girls” are sexually exploited from a very young age. Quite often they are infected with sexual diseases, skin diseases, and oral lesions. “Street Boys” often work in physically demanding and hazardous jobs which often has a devastating impact on their long term health.

“Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see.”

—The Stealing of America 1983

Facts

5% of street children were already born on the streets of Ghana

Street Children, Ghana

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UNICEF estimate that there are 30 million street children in Africa and UN sources state an estimated 150 million world wide. There are more than 90,000 Street Children in ACCRA. Roughly half of them are girls. Approximately 75% of the street children originate from outside of ACCRA. They left their families in search of money and work. 5% of the street children were already born on the streets. 40% dropped out of school. 60% have never entered one or visted one. Street Boys work mainly as CARRIERS, waste pickers, shoe shine boys, or car washers. Street Girls often sell water, food and in some cases their bodies.

“Hope is at it's strongest when the future is before you”.

—Steve Peach

A Street Child

Facts