Did you know that fifty percent of Africa's population is under l6? Compared with 19% in Europe? And out of this population there exists a huge percentage of orphaned and vulnerable children, many of whom resort to the streets? The streets of African cities and towns have become their home, their livelihood, their 'family'
It is to address the needs of these children that Street Child Africa was formed in 1998. From an appeal in a local Church to a UK registered Charity (Reg, No 1074832) with national support, Street Child Africa has undergone quite a transition from the early days of working out of a Trustees' home. The Charity now has support groups throughout Britain, and an active Scottish office heading up fund raising north of the border. But the mission remains the same - to help every vulnerable baby, every hidden child and every victim of rural and urban poverty. Based in the Home of Compassion in the heart of Thames Ditton, Street Child Africa works tirelessly to raise awareness and much needed funds for seven 'partner agencies' throughout Africa.
These 'partners' are small grass roots organisations working directly with street children. They provide trained young African 'street workers' who meet and befriend street children. Street children live in the shadows, and it is only through developing a relationship based on complete trust that the child will be able to make decisions allowing them to take a different path. Our partners offer drop-in centres, somewhere for the children to come and wash, rest, have a decent meal, feel safe. Street based literacy gives these marginalized children an opportunity to learn, and as they get older move into skills training. Counselling, advocacy and above all friendship are offered to these children who have ended up on the streets because of family breakdown, conflict and the pervading poverty of many African countries. Our partners in Senegal, Mozambique, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Zambia offer these children real choices where there was no hope for the future.
Following on from an extremely successful national charity campaign in The Times over the Christmas period, the charity was delighted to be nominated as one of three finalists in the Charity Times 'UK Charity of the Year Award'. Charity Times is a leading magazine for the Charity sector, and it is a testament to the hard work of the Charity's staff, trustees, volunteers and donors, that their work is being recognised through this nomination. Whatever the outcome of the Awards Ceremony on the 22nd September, Street Child Africa is proud to have been nominated.
Staff at Street Child Africa feel that this award is very much shared with the street children they help. One of the missions of Street Child Africa is to allow the voice of these children to be heard at local, national and government level. An award such as this draws attention to these street children who grow up alone in an alien world; a world where they are at best ignored, at worst abused.
If you are interested in learning about the work we do, buying our Charity Christmas cards, or holding a fund raising event, please contact our office on 020 8972 9820. Readers can visit our website to learn more about our work.
Felicite Holman