There is a strong tradition in Ghana of youth and even child migration. It is common for young people to try to escape the "barren North" by moving to the larger, more prosperous Southern cities, Kumasi and Accra, in the hope of opportunities of employment and a better life. Some only hope that they can earn enough in the school holidays to afford to pay their own school fees for the coming year.

Unfortunately, their ideas of employment and adventure are often naïve; they face a harsh reality. Most work menial jobs on the street, often as the famous "Kayayo" carrying extremely heavy loads on their heads as porters. Girls (and boys) can end up in prostitution or being abused.

Many girls return home to the North pregnant. This is an even trickier situation. They may be discriminated against for being pregnant and not married. While they could still use care themselves, they are unsupported by the father in the care of their child and they have lost any chance of being able to attain an education.

Also, worryingly, this youth migration is contributing to the increasing rates of HIV prevalence and other sexually transmitted diseases in the North.

Youth Alive is giving these children an alternative. Click here to read about our work, helping to give these children a better way out.