In many Third World countries there is a large population of street children. The causes of this phenomenon are diverse; for example rapid urbanization worsening economic trends and rampant population growth. This study reveals the range of difficulties that plague projects for street children in Nairobi Kenya. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. In total seven projects were visited and 68 street children were interviewed. Recommendations to improve assistance to and care of street children in Nairobi are presented. (authors)

Street children in Nairobi: Hakuna Matata?

Comparative Study of Juvenile Delinquency between Addis Ababa and Out of Addis Ababa Raised Juveniles in Addis Ababa

In order to provide a broad background to and contextualize the purpose of this study, the major issues relevant to the phenomenon of street children will briefly be overviewed. As point of departure, different conceptualizations of childhood and the resultant varied views on aspects of streetism, such as child-labour, homelessness and adaptive engagement to street life will indicate the complexity of the issue. An analysis of different perspectives on how to define street children, is closely related to the previous issue, and will result in an Educational Psychological definition of street children. This definition will provide a specific focus for the study, wherein the physical, moral, social and educational-psychological development of street children will briefly be over-viewed. This will be followed by a review of related literature, the delimitation of this study, the problem statement and hypotheses, a clarification of terms and finally an overview of the rest of this study

Educational psychological guidelines in the handling of street children

Problms and survival strategies of female street children in addis ababa

In Ethiopia during the Mengistu regime of 1974-1991 70% of gross domestic product was allocated to defense and economic development and less than 3% to general public services. Few resources were therefore accorded to child welfare. This article identifies several problems faced with regard to child welfare as a result of such low national priority and underfunding while also describing several strategies followed to deliver services to targeted groups of infants children and youth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the scope of child welfare problems in the country focusing upon displaced children orphaned children street children and delinquent youth. The authors conclude that child welfare problems in Ethiopia are complex interrelated and involve the coordination of government non-government and mass organizations. Moreover although four select issues within the domain of child welfare were considered attention could also have been given to issues related to physically disabled youth and mentally retarded or developmentally disabled youth.

Andargatchew Tesfaye

Papers

Child welfare issues in Ethiopia