TANZANIA: THERE’S one cultural habit no Tanzanian should ever think of supporting: letting kids roam the streets, begging just to make ends meet.
Imagine your own child wandering in the blazing sun, covered in dust, because— well, let’s say “parental responsibilities” took the day off. It’s a heartbreaking reality that speaks volumes about the vulnerability of our youngest citizens, especially in a society meant to care for and nurture them.
Seeing children loiter under such harsh conditions is more than just neglectful; it’s a disservice to our values as a compassionate nation. We need to address this with the urgency and kindness that all children deserve. After all, every child has the right to a childhood that’s rich in learning, growth and protection. Yet, for some, their days are spent exposed to searing heat and dust, without shelter, clean water, or even a decent meal—all because the adults in their lives may have misplaced their priorities.
The physical toll of such conditions is severe: prolonged exposure to the sun leads to dehydration, skin diseases and fatigue. Dusty environments, meanwhile, contribute to respiratory problems, eye infections and long-term health issues.
Beyond physical consequences, these children endure emotional scars. Living day to day, begging and wondering when or if they will eat or sleep under a roof, robs them of a sense of stability. Such a life fosters insecurity, anxiety and trauma, creating barriers to normal development and disrupting any hope for a brighter future.
These children, often called “the future of the nation,” are indeed a resource Tanzania cannot afford to neglect. Leaving them on the streets with little access to education or care places a heavy strain on our society’s future.
Without intervention, these children are at risk of falling into cycles of poverty and potentially crime. Not only does this affect the individual lives of these children, but it also compromises the safety and cohesion of our communities. When children grow up deprived of basic rights, they are often unable to contribute to the society in a constructive way, which in turn limits Tanzania’s overall progress.
Addressing child loitering and begging is not the sole responsibility of government bodies or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). As a society, we all play a part in protecting and nurturing our young. Religious institutions, community organisations and individual citizens can all collaborate to ensure children are provided for.
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A nation’s progress is often measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. Allowing children to suffer on the streets does a disservice not only to them but to the very fabric of Tanzanian society. These children have a right to education, a right to health and a right to a childhood free from hardship. In the end, addressing child loitering and begging is more than just an issue of social policy—it’s an ethical mandate.
Let us work collectively to ensure that no child is left to face the sun and dust alone. Tanzania has the resources, compassion and strength to make meaningful changes. We must act now, for each child who spends a day begging on the streets is one too
many.
