Resolving the Problem of Street Children and Youths in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This chapter is made up of recommendations, looked at in terms of curative and preventive policies. Curative policies are aimed at getting those who are already on the streets off the streets and reintegrating them into the mainstream socioeconomic activities. Preventive policies are aimed at preventing other children from moving onto the streets. In the interest of furthering preventive policies, I have emphasized the importance of good institutions, economic development, and a vibrant industrial sector. If we continue to cure those already afflicted, without making an effort at prevention, then the phenomenon of street children and youths will continue in a vicious cycle. The first section of the chapter is made up of the following curative policies: the therapeutic strategies, free education, and financial support, helping the street children and youths to make use of garbage, help change street children from beggars to food providers, help change street children and youth from homeless to home builders, the creation of vocational carpentry workshops, humanitarian aid to NGOs in sub-Saharan Africa, and recreational activities. The second section is made up of: technical expertise training, importation of technical expertise, investment in infrastructure, relocation of factories into sub-Saharan Africa, land reforms, monitoring international companies, removing dictators from power by means of free elections, the creation of social enterprises, and ending financial aid to the governments of sub-Saharan African countries. This chapter also provides information on the recent winds of change blowing across Africa and peacefully changing “Monarchical Republic” regimes to democracies without a single gunshot.