Assessment of Intervention Strategies Towards Addressing the Problem of Street Children

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ASSESSMENT OF INTERVENTION STRATEGIES TOWARDS ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF STREET CHILDREN IN KINONDONI DAR ES SALAAM (CHILD IN THE SUN)

ANNA M. JOSEPH

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER DEGREE OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK OF THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA

2013

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CERTIFICATION

I the undersigned certified that, I have read the entire work and hereby recommend for the acceptance by Open University of Tanzania a dissertation titled “Assessment of Intervention Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children in Dar es Salaam”, in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Master degree of Arts in Social Work of the Open University of Tanzania.

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Prof. Hossea Rwegoshora

(Supervisor)

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Date

COPYRIGHTS

No part of this dissertation may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of this author or the Open University of Tanzania on behalf.

DECLARATION

I, Anna M. Joseph declare that this Dissertation Report is the work of my own and that to the best of knowledge it has never been submitted anywhere by any person either in whole or part of this report in the Master of Social Work or in any other field related to this.

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Signature

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Date

DEDICATION

This paper is affectionately dedicated to many Social Workers and Community workers who work hard in enabling society to overcome social problems.Also dedicated to whole my family including my husband R. Kessy, my children Caroline, Elizabeth and Beatrice and their sister Consolata.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

From the very beginning, I should express my sincere gratefulness to the Almighty God for granting me good health and for providing guidance throughout studies at Open University of Tanzania and accomplishment of this dissertation. He made my life more generous. May his name be exalted, honored and glorified.

However I would like to thank in particular my supervisor Prof. Hossea Rwegoshora, who tirelessly spent much of his time in reading and giving critical ideas such that this work was timely completed in the best possible shape. His experience, influence, efforts and courage were the tools he used in guiding and supervising me. Prof. Rwegoshora deserves my heartfelt thanks.

Meanwhile I appreciate the cooperation of all staff of Open University of Tanzania for material and other contributions, which they vested to me in attempting this work. Also my sincere thanks giving should go to Dr. Kalwani J. and Ms. Mariana Makuu for their advice concerning this study.I extend my utmost thanks to the Director at Child In the Sun and other Staff for their cooperation they accorded me during data collection.I am also indebted my fellow Colleague of Master of Social Work Class 2011/2013 for the cooperation they showed me during the whole period of this study.

Many thanks goes to my family, friends and Caritas-DSM Office for their encouragement, love, care and support while I was pursuing my studies at Open University of Tanzania.Lastly I appreciate all people who in one way or another have contributed to the success of my dissertation but because of limited time, I have not displayed their names in this report but I still remember their contribution and may Lord grant them merit in their lives.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the effectiveness of Intervention Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children in Dar es Salaam. It establishes that in most developing countries NGOs have assumed the role of state and have taken action to combat the street children problem. They have fashioned family reunification, Rehabilitation Centres, introduction of different programmes such as Vocational Training, Advocacy and Reintegration to address this social phenomenon. The study argues that the Intervention measures applied by different NGOs in Dar es Salaam and Tanzania in particular are inadequate to address the complex causes of street children. Lack of cooperation between the NGOs, lack of enough support from the Government, Dependency to Donors, lack of enough trained personnel and poor working environment are problems which have been found to limit those NGOs efforts to accomplish their mission. From the findings of the study, through empowerment model of alternative development as articulated by planning and development theorists, is far more likely to prevent the migration of children into the streets, improve the well being of children currently living on the streets and re-address to some extent imbalances in social, economic and political power that lead children to the streets. This paper proposed that street children just like other children are potentially principal agent of social change though at the same time they are vulnerable to the problems that accompany the social change. It is essential therefore to examine what can be done to protect children from those social ills and harness their abundant energies for constructive work in their communities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CERTIFICATION

COPYRIGHTS

DECLARATION

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF APPENDICES

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1Introduction

1.2Background to the Problem

CHAPTER TWO

2.0LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1Introduction

2.2Theoretical Literature Review

2.2.1Empowerment Theory

2.2.2Theoretical Modal

2.3The Concept of Street Children

2.4Street Children: A Global Overview

2.4.2The Situation in Tanzania

2.6The Effects of Street Life on Street Children

2.6.1Victimization

2.6.2Denial of Rights and Exploitation

2.6.3Psycho-Social Problems

2.6.4Health Problems

2.6.5Emotional and Cognitive Development

2.7Needs of Street Children

2.8The Constraints Encountered by the Government and Other Stakeholders in the Implementation of Interventions Strategies in Addressing the Problems of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

2.9Intervention Strategies for the Street Children Problem

2.10Knowledge Gaps

2.11Conceptual Framework

CHAPTER THREE

3.0RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1Introduction

3.2Research Design

3.3Study Area

3.4Population of Dar es Salaam Region

3.5Child in the Sun

3.5.1Activities

3.6Study Population

3.7Sample Size

3.8 Sampling Techniques

3.8.1Purposive Sampling

3.8.2 Simple Random Sampling

3.9Methods of Data Collection

3.9.1Types and Sources of Data Collection Methods

3.9.2Primary Data

3.9.3Secondary Data

3.10Data collection Methods

3.10.1 Data Collection Tool

3.10.2Semi Structured Interview

3.10.3Structured Questionnaire

3.10.4Data Collection Procedure

3.11Data Analysis and Presentation

3.12Ethical Issues

3.13Confidentiality

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATIONS

4.1Introduction

4.2Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents

4.2.1 Age of Respondents

4.2.2 Sex of the Respondents/ Sex Distribution

4.2.3 Education Status for Street Children in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam

4.3 Community Concern on Street Children

4.3.1 The General Understanding of the Respondents on Definition of Street Children

4.4The Needs and Problems facing street children in Dar es Salaam

4.4.1Needs of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

4.4.2 The Problems Facing Street Children in Dar es Salaam

4.5Causes/Sources of Street Children in Urban Centers

4.6Services Provided to Street Children by those who Help them

4.6.1The Obstacles/Challenges Encountered during Implementation of Interventions Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

4.6.2What are the Intervention Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

4.6.3Challenges on Family Reunification for Children

4.6.4The Researcher also wanted to know if there were Cooperation Between the Government and NGOs Working with Street Children in Dar es Salaam

4.6.5 What are the Problems/Challenges Hindered Successful Intervention Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children

4.6.6 What are the Source of Income/Fund and Support for NGOs and other Stakeholders working with Street Children in Dar es Salaam?

4.7 What are the Successful Interventions for the Street Children Learnt from other African Countries

4.7.1The Components of Successful Interventions

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1Introduction

5.2Summary of the Findings

5.3Conclusion

5.4Recommendations

5.4.1Alternative to Rehabilitation/Residential Centres

5.4.2Support for Families

5.4.3 To the Government

5.4.4 To the Community Members

5.4.5To the Professionals and other Stakeholders

5.4.6Strengthened Research

5.4.7Importance of Education for Vulnerable Children

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Push and Pull Factors Causing Children to Adopt Street Life in Developing World

Table 3.1: Percentage Distributions of Type of Respondents Interviewed

Table 4.1: Components of Successful Interventions for Street Children

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework

Figure 3.1: Population of Dar es Salaam Region

Figure 4.1: Age of the Respondents

Figure 4.2: Sex of the Respondents/ Sex distribution

Figure 4 3: Education Status for Street Children in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam

Figure 4.4: Definition of Street Children

Figure 4.5: Basic Needs of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

Figure 4.6: Problems Facing Street Children in Dar es Salaam

Figure 4.7: Causes of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

Figure 4.8: Services Provided to Street Children

Figure 4.9: Intervention Strategies in Addressing the Problem of Street Children in Dar es Salaam

Figure 4.10: Challenges on Family Reunification for Street Children

Figure 4.11: Is there Cooperation between Government and NGOs

Figure 4.12: Challenges Hindered Successful Intervention

Figure 4.13: Source of Income and Support for NGO’s

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix I: Questionnaire for Street Children

Appendix II: Dodoso kwa Watoto Walio katika Mazingira Hatarishi (Street Children)

Appendix III: Semi – Structured Interview Questions for Directors and Social Workers at Child in the Sun

Appendix IV: Questionnaire for Social Workers and other Stakeholders

Appendix V: Questionnaire for the Parents/Guardians

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ACPFAfrican Child Policy Forum

ACRWCAfrican Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

CBOsCommunity Based Organization

CEDAWConvention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women

COBETComplimentary Basic Education in Tanzania

CPSChild Protection Services

CSCConsortium for Street Children

CISChild in the Sun

CDPChild Development Policy

CRCChild Rights Convention

CRCConvention on the Rights of the Child

CSOsCivil Society Organizations

EFAEducation For All

FBOsFaith Based organization

FHIFamily Health International

HIV/AIDSHuman Immuno-deficient Virus Acquired Immune

ILOInternational Labour Organization

IMFInternational Monetary Fund

KIWOHEKiota Women’s Health and Development Organization

MCDGCMinistry of Community Development Gender and Children

MCDGCMinistry of Community Development, Gender and Children.

MVCMost Vulnerable Children

MKUKUTAMpango wa kukuza uchumi na kupunguza umaskini Tanzania

NBSNational Bureau of Standards

NGOsNon-Governmental Organizations

NCPANational Coasted Plan of Action

NSGRPThe National Strategy for Growth for and reduction of Poverty

MVC Most Vulnerable Children

TAWLATanzania Women Legal Association

TGNPTanzania Gender and Networking Programe

SAPSStructure Adjustment Programm

UNICEFUnited Nations Children’s Fund

URTThe United Republic of Tanzania.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1Introduction

This chapter provides information about background to the problem, approaches used to address the problem of street children in Tanzania, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions and significance of the study.

1.2Background to the Problem

Street Children is a global problem which constitute a marginalized group in most societies. They do not have what society considers appropriate relationships with major institutions of childhood such as family, education and health. These children are confronted with discrimination and view health and social services with suspicion. Street children live a transitory life style and are vulnerable to inadequate nutrition, physical injuries, substance use, and health problems including sexual and reproductive health problems. These factors reduce the effectiveness on interventions that target street children (Schurink E & Tiba M, 1993).

The world is witnessing rapid and wide ranging socio-economic and political changes. Street children exist in every part of the world and large groups of children unsupervised by adults have appeared in almost every country especially in large urban areas of developing countries. The problem has worsened across the global in recent years because of economic and social upheaval which have led to the breakdown of traditional family structures and values. The reduction in family size from extended to nuclear, has led to the availability of fewer child-support resources (WHO, 2002).

Political changes, civil unrest, increasing family separations and conflicts, the epidemic spread of diseases and natural disasters. It is estimated that there are between 10 and 100 million street children in the world today. These children live a transitory life style and are vulnerable to inadequate nutrition, physical injuries, substance use and health problems including sexual and reproductive health problems (UNICEF, 2001).

In African countries street children increased from 1970’s and early 1980’s and intensified in the 1990’s during Structure Adjustment Program (SAPS) period where poverty increased in many households of African people as a result of SAP that was imposed by World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IFM) cutting down Government Expenditure, Introduction of cost sharing and user fee brought financial crisis in many African families causing a lot of parents to abandon their families for job opportunities (Rwegoshora, 2002). A lot of children started to drop out of schools because parents could not afford school fees. Street Children also increases in Africa due to war, harassment, abusive parents and effects of HIV/AIDS. (Lugalla and Kibassa, 2003), emphasizes that in the entire world, street children originated from very poor families.

The current large number of street children in African urban centers was almost absent prior to many nations transition to market economy in Africa. The growth of industries in towns and cities has forced the majority of children to migrate to urban centers because they provided an allure for better life. However having nowhere to live and nothing to do to earn a living thus spending their time on streets begging for survive (Ennew, 1996). Currently the number of street children in Africa has increased dramatically and compositions are that there are many male street children than females.

In Tanzania, children make up about half of the population (NBS, 2010) and in communities throughout the country it is generally recognized that children have special needs and require special care. The care and protection of children is primarily the responsibility of the family, typically the biological parents and other close relatives. Since early 1990s Tanzania witnessed a visible increase in the number of children living and working on the street. According to Dogodogo Center (2012) there are about 5800 street children in Dar es Salaam Region. The breaking up of families in Tanzania has contributed to the emergency of street children. The family Institution in Tanzania is going through a lot of upheaval. Fewer and fewer children have stable and loving family environment.

Many families are also increasingly being characterized by absent parents, alcoholism and domestic violence.Many children run away to street to avoid violence and abuse in the family. It is now a common occurrence to hear of terrifying stories of abuse of children by parents or family members (Ray et al, 2011). The increasing numbers of street children also indicate a constellation of other trends, such as cut-backs in government social and educational budgets, as well as the breakdown of traditional family and community structures, which leaves children unprotected (Kopoka, 2000).

In 1996 Tanzania put in place Child Development Policy (CDP) aimed at provision of rights of children to provide care for all children including Most Vulnerable Children, street children inclusive. This policy set Ministries and departments to deal with youth, women and children in general (Kopoka, 2000). The policy created a room for NGOs, Religious organizations, Individuals and other voluntary stakeholders to establish centers, schools and Associations to serve and defend the children, and to establish juvenile courts so that those suspected to break the law are dealt without violation of their status of children. However the Child Development Policy of 1996 did not identify street children as a special category that needed serious attention (URT; Child Development Policy, 1996, Kopoka, 2000).

While poverty in Tanzania has been intensifying, the ability of the Government to address the growing social development problems has been declining. As a result what has happened during the last two decades, contributed to the evolution of what one would call a development space. This space can be conceptualized in terms of the inability of the Government to play its role as a facilitator of social development. In order to fill this space, the development of civil society association becomes necessary. In fact, the mushrooming of NGOS and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Tanzania during this period reflects the failure of the Government to play its role as a facilitator and promoter of development. It is therefore important to understand the development of NGOs dealing with street children among others, within this context (Lugalla and Kibassa, 2002).

Mkombozi research (2005) on vulnerability children shows that income poverty, increase family pressures which can in turn result in frustration, domestic violence and alcoholism makes the children to run away from homes. It is this cycle of poverty in its widest sense that serves to exclude families and children from traditional social support networks and ultimately pushes children and youth to migrate from their homes to urban centers. On the streets, they frequently survive by scavenging, begging, stealing or working in informal sectors in low paying jobs (Evans & Ruth, 2006).

There are many cases of street children being beaten by police, rounded up, detained and sometimes repatriated to their rural homes against their will. Few of them trust adults, who often are the perpetrators of these violations (Kiwohede 2012). Nevertheless these measures have not provided long-term solutions to this social problem. The number of urban street children and children trafficked for different purposes have continued to escalate every year in Dar es Salaam (Legal & Human Right Center, 2010).

In Tanzania different initiatives have been shown to reduce the problem of street children in big towns like, a Street Children Planning Conference was held in Dar es Salaam from 19th to 21st January in 2009. It was attended by 83 representatives from Government Ministries, Municipalities, International Agencies, International and Local NGOs, bilateral organizations, UN Agencies and the street children themselves. This conference created a 15 point Action Plan and a Task Force to implement the recommendations and advise the government in the creation of its National Strategy for Street Children. The agreed overall aim of those at the conference was to reduce the number of street children by 60% by 2019 (CSC Annual Report, 2009).

In response to the problem of street children different measures have been introduced such as: Prevention: work to reduce the flow of children onto the streets, Protection and support (interventions to address the rights of children on the streets), Rehabilitation (activities aimed at support street children to stabilize their lives) and Reintegration (returning them to their families or placement in an alternative setting (Thomas De Benitez, 2011).