Street Urchin: International Day for Street Children

 By: Kenneth Selverio

Photo By: Gio Anderson Laylo

The world remarks the International Day for Street Children on April 12 every year. This anticipates for spreading positive relationship and awareness on how we treat and deal with them.

Street children are homeless children who live outdoors in a city and live by begging. They face difficulties while living in the streets, and they also develop their own ways to conquer such difficulties. 

According to recent statistics, up to 150 million children around the world live on the street. Some children live on the street with their families, while others spend the majority of their time on the street pleading for food and money, but return home at night. Some children live on the street as orphans with no family or no home to return to. 

Moreover, street children face hardship in providing themselves with good sources of food, clean drinking water, health care services, toilets and bath facilities, and sufficient shelter. They also suffer from absence of parental protection and security due to the missing connection with their families. In other words, 'street children' are children who depend on the streets for their survival.

They may be considered to as street children, street-connected children, homeless children or homeless youth. Also ,at times  they may be described in more negative terms such as beggars, juvenile delinquents and thieves.

Unfortunately, street children are often subject to abuse, neglect, manipulation or in extreme cases. Others are exploited by gangs and criminals and end up selling drugs, stealing and in prostitution.

Furthermore, there are many reasons why children end up on the street. One of the most common reasons involves living in a situation imposed by war and conflict. Children in this situation are either separated from their family or their family members have died.  No matter what the case is, street children are often refused an education, health care, and opportunities to live a solemn life.

Ultimately , if we encounter them, do not push them away. Do not judge them. Instead,help them and encourage them to keep on with life. Be grateful since we are not on their situation. Treat them what they truly deserve. Let's work together by ensuring their rights to be protected no matter who they are and where they are.

Let's be sensitive and recognize the humanity, dignity and hostility of street children around the world in the face of unimaginable hardships!