Street children are a common sight in many African cities. They usually have no permanent home or family support. They move from place to place, living in shelters and abandoned buildings. Many agree that this is largely an urban phenomenon caused in part by urbanization. In many developing cities, economic growth often means that children who are not protected by social safety nets, will flock to the streets in search of means for survival. It comes in form of the few bucks they beg or pinch on the streets, or the shelter in makeshift cardboard boxes on the side of a high rise. Some are lured into the lifestyle by the easy money and drugs, but most have no other means of survival. On the show today we looked at the mental, social and emotional effects of such a nomadic lifestyle. Most importantly, what does it mean to our continent that part of a generation--of its backbone--is living on the streets? How can we pressure our governments to develop social safety nets to provide security for the poor. Listen to the full show below
