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These are our Children
Kubatana.net
October 06, 2004

Audio files are associated with this document. View details

Recently Kubatana had the opportunity to speak with some children who have been driven out of their homes and on to the street due to poverty, abuse or the death of their parents.

The children have to deal with a multitude of issues on the street: sexual abuse, social stigma, HIV/AIDS, lack of education/food/safe shelter, police harrassment, hunger, access to clean water. Although deprived of many of life's comforts they are still typical children who talk about their favourite music (which they listen to outside shops and flea markets); discuss the clothing labels they'd like to wear; speak of their aspirations for a better life.

For all their attitude and posturing, what they most seek is acceptance and understanding. It is important that Zimbabweans remember that these children are not "a problem" or "a nuisance" or some other type of noun. They are our children and we have a responsibilty for them.

Kubatana spoke with staff at Streets Ahead to discuss their initiatives to assist street children.

Audio Files

• Street children - why do they leave home?
  Summary:
  Staff members at Streets Ahead reflect on the issues that affect street children. A child talks of why he left home for the street.
  
  This transcript is derived from interviews conducted by Kubatana in Harare in September 2004.
  
  Language: English
  Duration: 1min 13sec
  Date: October 06, 2004
  File Type: MP3
  Size: 143KB

• Street children talk about their lives
  Summary:
  Five children talk about issues that impact on their lives in the street.
  
  This transcript is derived from interviews conducted by Kubatana in Harare in September 2004.
  
  Language: Shona
  Duration: 2min 37sec
  Date: October 06, 2004
  File Type: MP3
  Size: 306KB
  
  Transcript translation :
  • I just want to encourage the whole Zimbabwean society to take part in this issue of rehabilitating the street children. These are not children of the streets because streets haven't got any children. These are our children.
  • It's mainly tough for the girls, because the girls can be raped by the guys. The guys are a lot better off than us.
  • The 'Big Fish' tell us that we are small and new. So, you listen and do what they want. They can take the money you get away from you, if you say you have no money they can search you. Now nothing happens to me, because I'm now well known. I usually help the young people when they come face to face with the 'Big Fish'
  • When I go to see my relatives, they think I have just come for the food, when I have genuinely come to see them. They are just happy to see me for a little while. If I go today, they will be happy for me today, but tomorrow they will be questioning me.
  • In the streets I can meet a friend who likes me and gives me money, and likes me whenever he sees me, one who does not hate me and say, "this one does not bath, I don't care about him. "
  • They catch us and take us to Central (police station). At Central they beat us, put us in the shower and spray us with hose pipes.
  • Those intending to come to the street should forget about it, because what the police are doing, they are beating us heavily. They tell you to lie down with our feet up and beat us on the soles of our feet. They will be using baton sticks called 'one meters' because when they really beat you, you cannot walk. . .Those intending to come to the street should forget about it.

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