“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.” – John F. Kennedy
Children have their rights, and they need to be nurtured and cared for from a young age to grow into individuals with dignity and a positive impact on society.
However, street-connected children are often excluded from that opportunity. They are denied an identity and easily lose hope for a bright future when their current circumstances feel overwhelming.
The majority of children living on the streets are boys, but there is a growing number of girls in Burundi, which is concerning.
Street-connected children face many challenges like lack of food, education, identity, and medical assistance. The most pressing issue, identified through the Outreach program conducted by New Generation, is the lack of security for young girls living on the streets, leaving them especially vulnerable.
Here are two testimonies from girls attending the Outreach Program:
Leila (16 years old): “I’ve been living on the streets for 4 months, and I’m already facing a lot of difficulties. I’m beaten by young boys, and even the police mistreat us by imprisoning us. When I’m on my period, I don’t have access to sanitary napkins, which is really hard. I often lack food, and I wish I could stay with a good family and study in normal circumstances. I had to stop school in Year 6, but I really want to continue my education.”
Anna (14 years old): “I’ve been on the streets for over 7 years now, and I’ve had to face so many hurdles. The boys and even policemen tease and imprison us. I wish I could live with a family where I feel safe, and I dream of becoming a doctor one day.”
To ensure confidentiality, the names of the girls have been changed.
