By Mofor Samuel
In many parts of the world, street children create fear and uneasiness to most people. With no identity, no belongings, living in fetid passages with no roof under their heads, found hanging around hotel, at crossroads, at ports, public parks and gardens, abandoned structures and vehicles or in the very busy streets of the city centre etc, all minors each one has a heart breaking story to tell, they have been left to themselves to face the realities of life. They have to meet their essential needs and for this all ways and means are acceptable. Some adults recognize this and exploit them to their advantage. While one school of thought considers street children as a threat to a civilized world, yet another group of people shocked by the situation, say the situation is like that because people are too lazy to look after their children. On whatever side of the divide that we find ourselves, we must bear in mind that street children are just humans who feel pangs of hunger as we do. They are many of them and they have a real need.
The phenomenon of children who have been left or abandoned to fend for themselves in Cameroon is gaining much ground thanks to the shortcomings of the present social, political and economic climate which is characterized by rapid urbanization, increase poverty and abandonment. In a way street children are a product of runaway urbanization, the impoverishment of the people, and substantial changes to family structure. Since the phenomenon of children who live on the streets is relatively new in Cameroon, initiatives by both government and the civil society to take care of these tormented souls are still thin on the ground. This does not prevent the recent swelling of towns and cities in the country. The infrastructures not being able to keep up, a large part of the population lives in very precarious conditions.
Experience has shown that most of the street children found in the large urban cities of Yaoundé and Douala are mostly males with a good number of them coming from the predominantly Moslem north. Of recent, the phenomenon is leaving no stone unturned as a reasonable number of children from the Christian south are fast becoming members of this “community”. At one point in time, the main rallying point of the children was the train station in Ngaoundere. They sneaked into the train heading to Yaoundé where they settle or continue to Douala. Others preferred large trucks leaving the north for the south. Again some just move from one town to the other through whatever means put at their disposal.
With most of them being at least twelve of age, pick pocketing and the temptation of drug s cannot conceal their terrible emotional stress. Many of them abandoned to their fate, with no shelter, nothing to their name, fall under the threat of drug- particularly the solvent glue that they inhale to forget.
Going by several studies as to why these children find themselves on the streets, if financial grounds dominate, there are various reasons behind the explosion of this phenomenon. Attempting an answer without starting from the family- the smallest unit of a community- and above all responsible parenthood to an extent, means running away from the question.
Due to irresponsible parenthood from the highest to the lowest level of the society and fro the richest to the poorest family, many children are abandoned to themselves or should one say to the street. They become street children because man’s greed has made him to transform the values of our traditions and religion to suit and satisfy his immediate needs. Values like social justice, honesty, peace, sharing, respect, love and humility etc found in the teachings of most of our religions and upheld by most of our traditions, have no place in the society today. No religion or tradition encourages irresponsible parenthood.
Children become street children, generally after traveling a road littered with danger which lands some of them in police cells. Abused children, children from broken homes, children from poor families, children from homes of rich but violent fathers, those who have lost one or both parents, all are potential street children. Add to that unwanted pregnancies, rape within the family and illegitimate children who are product of a union that has not or cannot be disclosed for one reason or the other. For example, a young woman impregnated by an all powerful alhadji would not dare to mention his name because of his social status. The child is already at crossroads even before his birth.
Another reason which is also specific in the Moslem north of Cameroon and other countries of the region is the children whose parent entrusted them to the protection of marabouts who are supposed to provide them with an education based on the Koran. These children are often required to finance their education, begging in the streets. In fact some of them are veritable slaves of the marabouts and are often forced to run away, this time street- bound.
Street children are victims of violence and exploitation by all and sundry in the society- individuals, families, police and vigilante groups who are overburdened by their presence. This is an admission to helplessness. They should be regarded as unutilized but potential assets rather a burden to the society.
There is every need for the government and the civil society to enable individuals to obtain public assistance, financial help from other sources, legal aid, support in reestablishing links with family or the chance to learn basic skills and offer advice on healthier lifestyles. Satisfying an immediate physical need maybe of limited value. It is better to help them learn how to solve problems and address their own needs. They need to be taught life skills or even an altogether different outlook on and approach to life.
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