24 Mar 2014

 The Jwaneng Town Council is currently working on intervention measures to address the challenge of street children in the township, which dates back to 2007. 

The council's spokesperson, Ms Dinah Bogale,  said in an interview that the number of street children in the township soared after the demolition of squatter camps in Nagamphabatho and Senthumole. 

“The council has in the past tried to help these street children who normally feed from dustbins. We have partnered with Moshupa Sub-district Council to search for the children’s families through the Department of Social and Community Development,” she said.

She revealed that some of the children were reunited with their families, most of whom were from Pitseng, Maboane, Moshupa, Moshaweng Sepapanana and Sese. Unfortunately, she said, most of the children had resorted back to street life. 

She added that a study carried out in 2011 revealed that most street children were male and that they came from poverty stricken families. The study also revealed that they had dropped from school at an early age.

Another study was carried out in 2013 and it revealed that some of the street children were orphaned and had no birth certificates or Omang. Some of them were living alone whilst others were living with their families. 

Ms Bogale said the council was working with different stakeholders to address the challenge. She said the district child protection committee had been informed and it was resolved that the matter should be handled by the concerned councils from which the children originate.

To that end, she said, the councils involved were Jwaneng, Southern and Kweneng. The Department of Civil and National Registration would also be invited to assist the children to acquire Omang and birth certificates.

“The councils have also resolved to enroll eligible school going children in rural area dweller hostels and vocational training institutions not far from their homes,” said Ms Bogale.

 She added that the children would be provided with psychological support for a six month period and made to attend a retreat. The councils have also agreed to sensitise the community about possibilities of fostering these children.

“We believe that with the planned interventions the numbers of street children will go down,” she said. Ends