A study in four urban centres in Namibia to determine the cyclic nature of streetism among children and suggestions for prevention, policy making and programme planning

Abstract

Summary provided by author:

UNICEF, who has been monitoring the world population of street children over the past eight years, estimates the global number of these children at 30 million

Namibia is no exception and prior to independence already, a growing number of children who spend most of their time on city streets have been a familiar sight. This situation was aggravated by the return of thousands of Namibians who were in exile during colonial rule

In this study an attempt was made to contribute to the field of knowledge about the dynamics of the street child phenomenon, and to make suggestions for preventive and curative measures in the field of child care, with specific reference to children in especially difficult circumstances

Six assumptions were set that formed the basis of the investigation. These assumptions presumed the existence of street children as an identifiable group; the recognition of their unique abilities and expectations; the conviction that even though they are faced with the harsh realities of street existence, not all of them are victims of irreparable psychological damage; the acknowledgement of their willingness to develop social skills which are geared to prepare them for reintegration into main stream society and their ability to participate fully in all the phases of planning and implementation of countermeasures for children in especially difficult circumstances

To achieve the aims of the study the research design incorporated a literature study and an empirical study. The latter was limited to four geographical areas in Namibia, namely Windhoek, Otjiwarongo, Rehoboth and Mariental

The sample included 306 children from the four areas, identified as street children due to the fact that they are under 18 years of age and are either spending a lot of time on the city streets, or are constantly present on the streets. In addition to this group, 51 key informants were included in the sample. This group comprised of individuals who claimed to have special knowledge about the etiology and living conditions of these children, due to their involvement in the policy formulation or programme planning and implementation for children in general and street children particularly. Key informants included social workers, parents, nurses, teachers, policemen, ministers of religion and community workers

Two research tools were used. One was a structured interview schedule (Addendum A) applied together with personal interviews and observation techniques to gather data from the street children sample. The second research tool was a self- administered questionnaire completed by the key informants

Methods of data gathering included the use of well trained field workers to complete the interview schedules and who applied techniques in ethnomethodology and observation during their data gathering. In this way qualitative observations going beyond the information in the interview schedules, could be obtained. Other methods included seven group discussions with key informants and exprrience surveying done by attending workshops and conferences on the subject of children in especially difficult circumstances with specific reference to street children

After the etiology and the dynamics of the living conditions of street children had been determined through the literature study and the empirical survey, attention was paid to countermeasures in terms of prevention, policy formulation and possible rehabilitation strategies

Final recommendations in these areas were based on the needs assessment of street children and key informants alike