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Peter Matika, [email protected]

THE Department of Social Development has partnered with the Bulawayo City Council and the Scripture Union of Zimbabwe to launch a transformative initiative that aims to rehabilitate and provide homes for street children in the city.

The programme is focused on reintegrating these children into family settings and society, to give them a brighter future.

This partnership is working diligently to address the issue of street children by providing the necessary support and resources to break the cycle of homelessness and vulnerability. The programme goes beyond simply offering shelter, by addressing the underlying causes that have led these children to the streets with holistic care.

Ms Energy Mlambo, the Provincial Social Development Officer for Bulawayo, stated that the goal is to create a safe and nurturing environment where these children can thrive. She further emphasised that all child protection policies apply to those living and working on the streets.

“These children are protected under the same legislation as all other children,” she said.

The Government, alongside its partners and stakeholders, has observed a reduction in drug use among street children, particularly the use of glue. However, older children aged 17 to 19 still tend to use cigarettes and marijuana, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Higher Life Foundation. 

Ms Mlambo noted that public awareness campaigns are being intensified to discourage the public from supporting children working on the streets.

“It is an offence to send children to beg on the streets under the Children’s Act, Chapter 5:06. Unfortunately, these children often refuse reintegration with their families due to the fast money they receive from random people in town,” she explained.

The Government has also strengthened its information, documentation, tracing, and re-unification (IDTR) process, documenting and tracing children living and working on the streets’ family backgrounds to facilitate re-unification. Nevertheless, Ms Mlambo acknowledged that many children often return to the streets due to stigma, rejection, or lack of acceptance by families, communities and schools.

“There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of children living on the streets compared to those working on the streets. Many of the working street children come from high-density areas such as Nguboyenja, Mzilikazi, Makokoba and Cowdray Park,” said Ms Mlambo.

She further indicated that suburbs like Mbundane, Iminyela, Trenance and Cowdray Park have reported high dropout rates, with children working on the streets to support their families due to the inability to afford school fees and basic needs.

She said outreach sensitisation programmes are being organised by the Government to ensure that no child is left behind, with a focus on how families and children can benefit from social protection programmes.

“The Scripture Union provides essential services such as warm meals, laundry services and access to bathing facilities and teaches life skills, including sexual and reproductive health education, with support from the National Aids Council and the Sexual Rights Centre,” she said.

Education on conflict resolution is also offered in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Victim Friendly Unit to help children find alternatives to violence.

Ms Mlambo said the ongoing engagement with communities by the city council is addressing the push-and-pull factors contributing to the presence of street children in Bulawayo.