Homelessness

Many children become homeless due to the death of a parent, family breakdown, poverty and sometimes stigmatization encouraged by some traditional beliefs. There are an estimated 250,000 and 300,000 homeless children in Kenya. Many come from impoverished homes and end up begging in the cities. In Nairobi the capital, it is estimated to have up to 60,000 street children, (Daily Nation, April 14, 2016). In Nigeria, there are an estimated 100,000 children living on the streets of Lagos. Homelessness puts children at risk of infection, disease and exploitation such as trafficking.

The psychological effects for children living on the streets cannot be underestimated. In the UK, child homelessness takes the form of vulnerable children living in temporary accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’. The effects include drug abuse, physical and sexual abuse and social isolation. Latest figures estimate there to be about 131,000 children in this condition (Phillips. A, ACAMH 2019). JWCA are keen to support interventions towards removing children from the streets – Programs such as providing shelter and rehabilitation through street-based programs to alleviate the worst aspects of street life.