Children make up half of the population of Africa. Many of these kids are reduced to living on the streets, surviving through begging, theft and violence. It is estimated that as many as 130,000 street kids live in Nairobi alone (capital of Kenya), scavenging for food, shoeless or barely clothed and high from sniffing glue.

The life of a street kid in the cities of Africa is harsh; many have known incredible hunger and have had to steal for food. As the number of street kids rise, so too will their problems. There will be more children competing for the few sources of income that are available. Without help, their prospects will be very bleak!


Jonah is 6 years old and HIV positive. He remembers the day when he came to Kampala and the people with him told him to wait by the bridge. He stayed there until night but they never came back so he was left to fend for himself, alone in an area that he didn't even know. Other street kids found him, looked after him, and brought him to a home where he is now cared for.

Catherine is 16 and was born on the streets. She remembers when she used to beg, people would tell her to 'go home'! She cried and said 'but this is my home!'

Emmanuel was found at Christmas in a plastic bag in a rubbish tip: someone heard a weak cry. So many babies are being abandoned for unknown reasons, some are left to be found, and some are thrown away like rubbish.

The governments of the African nations do not have enough money to spend on these social issues and the aid programs of the Western World tend to neglect them too. This is where you can help...

Source: Abaana