Streetism, by a child from Youth Alive

Streetism is by Alhassan Hamza who is in form 3 at Junior Secondary School, Tamale (Northern Region of Ghana). The child above is not Alhassan, but could easily have been!

Streetism

There is one major problem confronting the people of this country which if not checked and controlled will have serious effect on the economy of the nation. Streetism or street life is something no one wishes to associate with. However, certain situations push children into this kind of life or activities.

Streetism can be attributed to so many causes such as, poverty, broken home, fostering, child abuse etc. most of these children found on the street are people who can become prominent personalities if they are given the opportunity. These children engage in all kinds of activities just to earn a living. Some are the bread winners of their homes and contribute to the survival of their siblings. They do this to the neglect of their education and future.

Many of us are looking for help to move away out from street life so that they also contribute their part to the development of the nation in future. Society however thinks negatively about them. The use of inhuman words and names like 'useless', 'thieves', 'criminals', 'market vultures'  and the like. In short people have no iota of respect for street children. Such people forget that these children are also human beings just like them.

A street child also has knowledge, wisdom, conscious and ambitions. The only difference between a street child and that of the home child is the opportunity that the home child has. Street children have a lot to offer if they are given the opportunity.

I was a street child but, now in school, I compete well with children from good homes. I perform better than most of them in class. If street children are given half of the opportunities that the home child has, they will perform wonders.

Society must begin to see something good in street children and help them out of their present situations rather than insulting and condemning them. This nation will be better developed if the necessary assistance is extended to them.

Youth Alive is helping me and my colleagues to rediscover ourselves and to realize our dreams. We cannot afford not to mention Youth Alive always. I wish to call on our government and help disadvantaged children. Despite the capitation grant most of us are still not in school because various levies imposed by school authorities, eg development levies, printing of examination papers' etc. All to contribute generously to Youth Alive so that they can continue to help street/vulnerable children

Help take care of a street child today and God will richly bless you.

Bye,

Alhassan