Tackle root causes of rising street children numbers, authority told
DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has been urged to address the root causes behind the rising number of street children, particularly poor family planning practices and violence against children.
The call was made over the weekend by the Administrator of Kamelot Children’s Home, Sister Aschariah Severine, during a resources and volunteer outreach programme held at the centre. The event was organised by Ismaili Civic Tanzania in collaboration with the Lions Club Tanzania.
The initiative brought together volunteers from the two organisations to support vulnerable and orphaned children through the donation of essential supplies, distribution of meals and direct engagement with caregivers and residents at the home.
Sister Severine said the majority of parents of street children are still alive but have failed to take responsibility for their children due to inadequate family planning and weak parenting practices.
She further noted that child abuse and domestic violence play a significant role in pushing children onto the streets, as many flee their homes to escape mistreatment and neglect.
“The street children problem largely originates from unstable families. Many families are formed without proper planning. Most children living on the streets are not orphans; their parents are alive but are not fulfilling their responsibilities. Some children are abandoned, while others are victims of various forms of abuse and violence,” she said.
She added: “Not all children under our care are orphans. Some are children who were severely abused and subjected to extreme violence.” Sister Severine commended the government for putting in place measures aimed at protecting children from abuse, particularly online exploitation.
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“There are strong laws protecting children from corporal punishment and online abuse. While these laws are commendable, their implementation has sometimes been challenging, particularly among older secondary school students who were accustomed to different systems in the past. There is also an ongoing debate about providing assistance to children and then publicising it. We largely support these laws as they safeguard the dignity and rights of the child,” she said.
She further expressed gratitude for the support received from various stakeholders, saying it would significantly enhance the children’s access to education and meet their daily needs.
“We have received school supplies and food, which has greatly eased our burden, especially as the academic year has just begun. This support reduces the stress of securing funds for essentials such as meals and other daily necessities. The assistance we have received will take us a long way,” she said.
Vice-President of Ismaili Civic Tanzania, Mr Nazir Thawer, said the initiative reflects the community’s long-standing commitment to serving humanity.
“Guided by our Imam’s emphasis on compassion and care, Ismaili Civic promotes inclusion, supports the wellbeing of vulnerable communities, raises climate awareness and advances environmental sustainability,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to continue working together in service to humanity, describing such service as service to God. “May this visit strengthen our bonds and remind us of our shared responsibility to improve our communities and protect our planet for both present and future generations,” he said.
Lions Club Tanzania Second Vice District Governor, Ms Bhavika Pathi, also called on all stakeholders to unite in efforts to serve the community. She emphasised that every contribution counts in building a compassionate, cohesive and sustainable society.
“As we say in Lions, ‘The more the hands, the more the service.’ The more people who volunteer, the greater the impact and quality of service we can deliver. We therefore invite everyone to actively participate in this shared social responsibility, because service to the community is the duty of us all,” she said.
