"Streetism" has become epidemic in Ghana. "Street" children are children whose lives are based on the street. Some are homeless, sleeping on scraps of cardboard in bus stations and doorways. Others may have homes to sleep in but none of the support that every child deserves. They work in menial jobs on the town streets such as hawking small items, pulling heavy carts or washing dishes for street vendors.

These children can end up on the street for many reasons: displacement, trying to escape abusive environments or a misguided hope for opportunities to escape, in desperation, their poverty. The high unemployment in Northern Ghana and employers preferring children, who are cheaper and easier to exploit than adults, often means that the children are the main earners for their families.

There is a terrible stigma attached to being a "street" child. They are subject to abuse, seen as worthless and called names such as criminals and "market vultures".

Not only do these children have to spend their time in a dangerous environment without support, supervision or protection, but they are deprived of their right to an education. They are denied the opportunity to build a life or career for themselves and so the cycle continues. They are denied hope.

Youth Alive has been working for over thirteen years to help street children. Of course, far from being worthless, these children are intelligent, tenacious and enthusiastic. Youth Alive provides the opportunities these children need to take control of their lives and build a future.

Please see the 'our response' link for information on our projects.