Eastern and Southern Africa

This area of Africa has been ravaged by HIV and AIDS which has caused mortality rates to rise. Agriculture is the main source of employment, and provides the largest part of the GDP for many of these countries. Although the continent has made some positive economic progress, especially in Ethiopia, most areas are still rife with poverty. Rapid urbanization is causing poverty levels to escalate even further. In the majority of the countries in Eastern and Southern Africa the statistics indicate that there is a low life expectancy and a high infant mortality rate.

Members

Action for Children in Conflict

Action International Ministries

Amazing Children Uganda

Amos Trust

Cutting Edge Theatre Productions

International Children's Trust

International HIV/AIDS Alliance

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Jubilee Action

Msizi Africa

Plan UK

Railway Children

RETRAK

Save the Children UK

SOS Children's Villages

Street Action

Street Child Africa

Street Kids International

StreetInvest

Widows and Orphans International

World Jewish Relief

Publications

‘We are managing our own lives . . . ’: Life transitions and care in sibling-headed households affected by AIDS in Tanzania and Uganda
This paper explores the ways that young people express their agency and negotiate complex lifecoursetransitions according to gender, age and inter- and intra-generational norms in sibling-headed householdsaffected by AIDS in East Africa. Based on findings from a qualitative and participatory pilot studyin Tanzania and Uganda, the author examines young people's socio-spatial and temporal experiences of headingthe household and caring for their siblings following their parent's/relative's death. Key dimensions ofyoung people's caring pathways and life transitions are discussed: transitions into sibling care; the waysyoung people manage changing roles within the family; and the ways that young people are positionedand seek to position themselves within the community.

“Strolling” as a Gendered Experience: A Feminist Analysis of Young Females in Cape Town
This paper uses a feminist perspective to investigate the daily lives of girls who "stroll" on the streets of Cape Town, South Africa. The dynamics of daily street life are described and group composition and individual roles are demarcated. The common assumption that girls who enter the streets are caught up in prostitution rackets, and that this explains why fewer girls are found on the streets than boys, is rejected. Reasons for the presence of fewer girls are on the streets are sought in their home backgrounds instead.

A Bridge Across the Zambezi: What Needs to be Done to Protect Children
In 2004 and 2005, Save the Children UK and Save the Children Norway conducted research with a view to gaining a better understanding of the existing vulnerabilities and risks facing children in Caia and Chimuara prior to the pending construction of a new bridge across the Zambezi River. Save the Children's findings have created a concern that a combination of local circumstances and external factors have made this river area, located in the central region of Mozambique, particularly dangerous for children. The communities here already endure conditions of poverty and a weakening of family and community structures. Exacerbating these conditions are disturbing patterns of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls in the form of child prostitution.

A Civil Society Forum for East and Southern Africa on Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Street Children
This report documents The Civil Society forum for East and Southern Africa, the second in a series of regional forums organised by the Consortium for Street Children with the aim of bringing together key NGOs and government representatives from selected countries to exchange experiences and formulate recommendations for the promotion and protection of the human rights of street children within each region.

A Regional Seminar on Children Who Cross Borders In Southern Africa
Outcomes, debate, discussion and recommendations from our 2009 seminar on children on the move. In May 2009, we hosted a southern African Regional Seminar on Children Who Cross Borders in collaboration with the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) of the University of Witwatersrand. The seminar was funded by Irish Aid and USAID.The seminar culminated in a series of action-oriented recommendations in four areas:Access to services Advocacy and information Prevention of child labour ProtectionThe report highlights priorities for service delivery, advocacy, information gathering and child participation.

A Study on Street Children in Zimbabwe
The objective of this study was to "compile, consolidate and validate available information" on street children "in order to facilitate the development of a long-term national strategy aimed at promoting, protecting and fulfilling their rights". Thus, the report looks at the situation of street children in Zimbabwe and presents an assessment of the problem. The report presents the causal factors, the effects of the problem of street children, the interventions and responses currently being offered to street children, the emerging gaps and concludes with possible strategies for intervening in the short- and long-terms.

A Study on the Interface between Orphanhood, Street Children and Child Labour in Namibia
In order for the Government and its development partners, particularly UNICEF, to have a clear picture of the situation, a comprehensive study on the interface between Orphanhood, Street Children and Child Labour was carried out by the Namibian Integrated Development Consultants, in November/December of 2004. The team used data collection procedures such as interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions to find out the relationships between the three variables. The findings of the study were critically analysed, succinctly summarised and a number of implications were highlighted. On the basis of the implications, recommendations were made to Government and its development partners on the kinds of interventions that are needed to be put in place to alleviate the current situation of OVC, Street children and Child Labour in the country.

Adapting Visual Methods: Action Research with Kampala Street Children
Thios paper examines the use of four 'visual action' methods for eliciting information from street children about their interations with the socio-spatial environment. These methods were adapted and used to encourage child-led activities and minimize researcher input. The advantages and constraints associated with the successful implementation of visual methods were examined, followed by a brief examination of the real and 'ethical' considerations surrounding their use. The paper concluses that visual methods allow a high level of child-led participation in research, as well as providing a stimulus for eliciting further oral material.

Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by Aids
'Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by AIDS' is an update of the 2003 report 'Africa's Orphaned Generations'. It incorporates new and refined estimates of the number of children orphaned in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as current research on the impact of AIDS and orphaning. Information about orphans in the region has increased significantly in recent years and research has become more rigorous. And, while information on other vulnerable children in the region lags far behind, the situation of some well-defined groups, such as children living with chronically ill parents, is now being studied more systematically.

AIDS and Street Children in Zimbabwe
It is usually assumed that the growing number of street children in Southern Africa is a result of the AIDS epidemic, but this assumption has never been tested. Studies of orphans in Zimbabwe generally find that a surprisingly small number become street children, although a small proportion of a very large number may still be a large number. There are other reasons why children may be found living on the streets, especially in the current economic crisis in Zimbabwe. The study was therefore carried out to explore the main causes for the increase in the number of street children in Zimbabwe, and to determine the contribution of AIDS to this phenomenon.The research was carried out in Mutare and Bulawayo, two provincial capitals and the second and third largest city of Zimbabwe respectively. 150 street children where selected in each city from the registers of two programmes of the Scripture Union of Zimbabwe, the Simukai Street Youth Project in Mutare and the Thuthuka Street Children's Project in Bulawayo. After giving verbal consent, the children were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. 115 of them lived permanently on the streets or in wastelands, and 185 lived with parents or guardians but spent most of their day on the street. Additional information was obtained through two focus group discussions with children and three focus group discussions with guardians of street children selected from the registers of the two programmes.

An Assessment of the Educational Needs of Working children including children living in the streets and other children who are out of school
The results of a study commissioned by the NEAB in 2009 to investigate and make recommendations regarding the education of children of school going age who are out of school. Of concern was the issue of streetchildren and children who are involved in child labour estimated to be about 12,000. The study was also cognizant that the end of free primary education and the harsh economic climate have led to increased drop-out ratesand lower transition rate from primary to secondary shcool level.The study was conducted to:i. Determine the sixe, extent and nature of working children in Zimbabwe, including street and other out of school children.ii. Examine the causes of this phenomenon and iii. Suggest ways of wither reinegrating the children into mainstream education or reccommend alternative approachees to accomodate them.

Are Social Networks Significant in the Lives of Street Children? Insights from Mombasa, Kenya
This disseration aims to investigate a certain aspect of the street child phenomenon, namely the significance of social networks in their existence on the streets. Thirty one children were interviewed in Mombassa, Kenya, to determine their reasons for moving to the streets and whether the child had any contacts on the street before deciding to leave home; the ammount of contact they still had with their families; the importance, if any, of having friends and living in groups; whether such groups influence a childs participation in programmes seeking to assist them; and if targeting the group would be more attractive to street children, when designing future intervention programmes.

Born to High Risk: Violence against Girls in Africa
The African Child Policy Forum believes that ending violence against girls in Africa is one of the most pressing challenges facing Africa today. Hence, this report which has been prepared to inform the discussions at the Second International Policy Conference on the African Child: Violence Against Girls in Africa (May 11 and 12, 2006). The report pulls together information from three sources: existing literature in violence against girls; thematic studies on five settings in which African girls experience violence; and retrospective surveys of young girls' experiences of violence. This rich and revealing information has been analysed to give an overview of the magnitude of the problem, its causes and consequences, as well as the elements of a possible strategy for the way forward.

Building Resilience A Rights-based Approach to Children and HIV/AIDS in Africa
As the vulnerability of children living in communities affected by HIV/AIDS becomes a clear challenge, governments, international agencies, civil society, neighbourhoods, and families have mobilised to try to tackle the issues these children face. This report provides a brief overview of the responses of the international community and governments in rising to these challenges, the roles of the private and civil society sectors, as well as the responses of families and communities dealing directly with the children.The report argues that a Rights-based approach can rectify many of the distortions that have arisen from a crisis-driven response to children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty, and conflict, and can provide a beacon for moving forward. The underlying principles of universality, indivisibility, responsibility, and participation provide a firm foundation for framing priorities and responses to vulnerable children and families.

Children Crossing Borders: Report on unaccompanied minors who have travelled to South Africa
This report presents findings of research into why unaccompanied children from Zimbabwe and Mozambique cross into South Africa.This report begins to address a significant dearth of information about children who cross international borders. Although there has been increasing research into children's migrations, there has been very little research on children who migrate without a caregiver or those who migrate across international borders. The research aimed to provide information on the following:the routes of migration who children migrated with the reasons for migration how these children obtained basic necessities such as food, money, shelter, health care and safety and their experiences of arrest, deportation and violence.The research took place in three main sites; Johannesburg, the border with Zimbabwe (predominantly in Musina) and the border with Mozambique (predominantly in Malelane and Komatipoort).

Children of the Street: A re-interpretation based on evidence from Durban, South Africa
Much of the research to date on street children has taken the form of largely quantitative surveys which have sought to establish numbers of street children, the reasons for their presence on the streets, their demographic and household characteristics, and their survival and criminal activities. A constant temptation in broadly quantitative research of this nature is to formulate a ‘composite profile' of street children. It is from such a generalising approach in the post-apartheid Southern Africa context that this paper takes its departure, for this study investigates the extent to which generalisation may actually impede our understanding of street children in South Africa. The concerns of this paper are, therefore, primarily conceptual, and it is not the intention of the author to provide a commentary on the nature of street life.

Children on the Streets in Mwanza: Summary of Survey Findings
To find out more about the lives of street children in Mwanza and inform local responses, children and young people on the streets were asked to participate in a survey. This took place in June 2008. 443 children and young people participated in the survey with the majority (88.7%) being full time street children; the remaining 11.3 % return home at night. This report summarises findings from the survey including reasons for participants being on the streets and hardships faced, concluding with reccomendations for future interventions.

Children's Property and Inheritance Rights: Experience of Orphans Affected by HIV/AIDS and other Vulnerable Orphans in Kenya
The study briefly examine the seriousness of property grabbing in Africa and provide an in-depth analysis of property inheritance rights violation on orphans affected by HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable orphans in Kenya .Findings bring to fore deprivation of paternal and double orphans resulting from property grabbing , and observe the international and national response and validity to deal with the seriousness of the problem, and further examine lessons from civil society models and framework whilst illuminating key findings and action for social policy that could leverage positive livelihood outcomes for those children .This study argues and demonstrates that women property stripping relegates orphans into extreme poverty and protection of such property assets can yield tremendous improvement in their wellbeing. Children are not vulnerable only because of loosing parents but also property loss through grabbing which has immense negative impact on their livelihoods. Widows and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS suffer double tragedy and are more bewildered and attacked by property rights violation as laws and policies prove toothless and without validity over customary and negative practices.

Core Indicators for Monitoring Child Well-Being: Neighbourhoods
This document provides as set of core indicators for monitoring children's local environments. It is one of a series of 14 Core Indicator Sets that can be used to monitor children's well-being. The purpose of the series is to provide stakholders with recommended indicators that may be used to monitor the situation of children in South Africa.

Crianças Que Atravessam Fronteiras na África Austral (Children Who Cross Borders: Spanish)
Outcomes, debate, discussion and recommendations from our 2009 seminar on children on the move. In May 2009, we hosted a southern African Regional Seminar on Children Who Cross Borders in collaboration with the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) of the University of Witwatersrand. The seminar was funded by Irish Aid and USAID.The seminar culminated in a series of action-oriented recommendations in four areas:Access to services Advocacy and information Prevention of child labour ProtectionThe report highlights priorities for service delivery, advocacy, information gathering and child participation.

CSC submission to the International Development Committee's Enquiry into Zimbabwe
CSC submitted evidence to the Committee's enquiry in January 2010.

Dietary Patterns and Prevalence of Wasting among Street Children in Lilongwe, Malawi
In a cross-sectional study of 36 street children in Lilongwe, Malawi, dietary practices and the prevalence of wasting were assessed to provide information on the risk of poor dietary intake and malnutrition in the population of street children. A food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recalls were used to determine dietary practices, while anthropometric measurements were taken to assess the prevalence of low weight-for-height (wasting). Because of their high mobility, the participants were recruited using purposive sampling, primarily around the streets that lead to Lilongwe main market. A qualitative checklist was used to identify prospective participants, and interviews were only done after the respondent had given informed assent. Limited as it is in terms of sample size and breath, the study forms a stepping stone for investigating in more detail, food and nutrition issues that affect street children in Malawi.

Difficult Circumstances: Some Reflections on “Street Children” in Africa
This article cautions against the dangers of adult-centered approaches in child research, calling for more child-centred research methodologies.

Education for Street Children in Kenya: the role of the Undugu Society
This study evaluates the role of USK in providing education to street children, with a view of highlighting lessons for replication by other groups wishing to establish similar projects, allowing them to benefit from Undungu's experiences, strenghts and weaknesses. One of the main findings made in this study include the fact that one of Undugu's major achievements is that it provides an alternative form of basic education to children who are not able to take part in the formal system.

Educationally Marginalized Children in Namibia: An Inventory of Programmes, Interventions and Data
The "National Policy Options for Educationally Marginalized Children" (NPO - EMC) was developed and published in 2000. It provides a number of temporary policy options to achieve 100% net enrolment and identifies and defines thirteen groups of educationally marginalized children. This study is providing an up-to-date inventory of programmes, actions and available statistical data for each of these thirteen groups of EMC and is indicating possible medium-term interventions of educational services to the ITF.

Gauteng Street Children's Shelter Act
This act was created to provide for the establishment, regulation and subsidisation of street children shelters; to prevent abuse, exploitation and discrimination of street children; to establish methods of governance, operation and monitoring of street children shelters; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Gender-based Violence and Property Grabbing in Africa: A Denial of Women's Liberty and Security
Property grabbing is a new form of gendered violence against women, threatening the security of women across Southern and East Africa. Forced evictions are often accompanied by further acts of violence, including physical and mental harassment, and abuse. Widows are particularly vulnerable, partly as a result of weakened customary practice and social safety nets that used to provide support to widowed women and their children, a situation made worse by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Defending their property has cost some women their lives, while other women have lost their shelter and source of livelihoods, and have become destitute. The harassment and humiliation that often accompany property grabbing further strip women of their selfesteem, affecting their ability to defend their rights.

Genesis of Street Children Phenomenon in Kenya Presented to “Kids Behind Bars” Conference-Bethlehem Palestine 30th June
Presentation presented at the 'Kids Behind Bars' Conference discussing the underlying factors, including HIV/AIDS, social and economic injustice and juvenile justice, which have contributed to the street child phenomenon in Kenya.

HIV/AIDS and Child Labour. A state-of-the-art review with recommendations for action.
A study on the pressure of HIV/AIDS and its exacerbating effects on child poverty, pushing many of them onto the labour market.

Hope and a Future: Empowering Street Children and their Communities to Rebuild their Lives
Child Restoration Outreach (CRO) is a non-governmental organisation working with street children in Uganda. It provides holistic, integrated care for street children, helping them return to their families. From initially working just with the children, the programme has grown to provide support and training to their families and also to the wider community. It has moved from ‘intervention' to include ‘prevention' in its work as well, tackling the problems which cause children to go to the streets and so helping to prevent the numbers of street children from growing.The purpose of this document is to make accessible some of the practices and principles of CRO as an information resource. It is not a comprehensive guide to working with street children; rather, it provides an overview of one approach from a practical perspective. It is intended to complement Viva Network's Voice in the  Streets, which covers multi-stage work with street children, by documenting an alternative strategy. CRO offers a useful comparison to the Colombian project on which Voice in the Streets is based, as CRO's work is non-residential and focuses on resettling the children with their extended family.

Influencing Policy for Children in Tanzania: Lessons from Education, Legislation and Social Protection
Policies are important to promote child well-being, but their impact upon the actual wellbeingof children varies. Some policies draw widespread public and political attention, gettranslated into programmes, attract resources, and are implemented. Others don't. Why isthis?Policies are often analyzed statically, on the basis of evidence and its internal technical logicand argument. But this may explain little about a policy's ability to bring change. Tounderstand what engenders change, it may be more instructive to study policy in practice,and the contextual factors that make change most effective.This paper analyses three recent policy/programme developments regarding child wellbeingin Tanzania and examines the political ‘drivers of change' that influence policy andaction on child well-being.

Integrating Gender into HIV/AIDS Programmes
This Training Manual was prepared in order to build the capacity of Trainers in order for them to systematically integrate Gender Dimensions into HIV/AIDS programmes (Mainstreaming).

Karamojong Street Children and Adults in Kampala, Uganda: A Situational Analysis Investigating the Root Causes, Issues Faced, and Current Responses
Research conducted in April and May of 2005, resulted in a report entitled "Uganda's response to Street Children: Investigating the Validity and Impact of Kamparingisa National Rehabilitation Centre (KNRC) in Working with Street Children in Uganda." The report identified a "huge influx of Karamojong" from Northeast Uganda, and highlighted a major gap in understanding and intervention pertaining to street children originating from Karamoja. In the 2004 special report by the Uganda Human Rights Commission "Karamoja: Searching for Peace and Human Rights" major issues facing people from Karamoja were described and analyzed. Other research has also been done showing the plight of the region. However, it is not clear what specifically leads some of the Karamojong to make the nearly 500 kilometer journey to the capital of Uganda, while others stay in Karamoja. It also needs to be understood what occurs when these people reach the streets of Kampala. With increased knowledge for Government and NGOs, it is hoped that coordinated efforts will result in long-term sustainable solutions. There are a number of initiatives currently in operation or at planning stage in the Karamoja region. There is also an obvious desire by Ugandan Government, Kampala City Council, and NGOs to address the phenomena of Karamojong street children and adults in Kampala. However, a link between the two needs to be investigated. In addition, a greater scope of information needs to be collected and research conducted, to not only understand the causes, but to understand the scale of the problem and the complexities, as well as strategies that have previously or are currently being employed. This will enable all stakeholders to consider and develop tailored responses. This research seeks to bridge the gap between the will to take action and the need for comprehensive information surrounding this issue.

Life on the Street: The Chokora of Eldoret. Part 2.
This dissertation investigates the life of street children in Eldoret, Kenya. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) I explore the lives of street children and bring out the diversity of their life experiences. I argue that current interventions tend to group children together and so fail to take account of their own unique needs. Street children are not all "helpless victims‟; they can in some cases exercise a degree of agency. I explore the multidimensionality of poverty and look at the causes of its existence, understanding that there is no single cause but a multitude of factors which must be analyzed. Any interventions must be transformative and target these root causes. Using various PAR methodologies, such as field journaling, listening, observation, focus groups and informal interviews, I have been able to explore their hidden vulnerabilities, which are otherwise unheard and go unnoticed. This dissertation is therefore about reflecting on street life and giving justice to children's voices. In so doing, the dissertation adds to the growing literature on the issue of street children in the developing world. Part 2.

Life on the Street:The Chokora of Eldoret. Part 1.
This dissertation investigates the life of street children in Eldoret, Kenya. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) I explore the lives of street children and bring out the diversity of their life experiences. I argue that current interventions tend to group children together and so fail to take account of their own unique needs. Street children are not all "helpless victims‟; they can in some cases exercise a degree of agency. I explore the multidimensionality of poverty and look at the causes of its existence, understanding that there is no single cause but a multitude of factors which must be analyzed. Any interventions must be transformative and target these root causes. Using various PAR methodologies, such as field journaling, listening, observation, focus groups and informal interviews, I have been able to explore their hidden vulnerabilities, which are otherwise unheard and go unnoticed. This dissertation is therefore about reflecting on street life and giving justice to children's voices. In so doing, the dissertation adds to the growing literature on the issue of street children in the developing world.

Life without Basic Service ''Street Children Say''
This study builds on the learning of Street Diary (Save the Children UK, 2001), giving theopportunity for a group of children to represent their own analysis of their situation. Itexamines the human and emotional dimension of life on the street. This is not astatistical or quantitative research but is representative of the feelings of children livingon the street about their lives and organisations working with them.

List of Countries which have Signed, Ratified/Acceded to the African Union Convention on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Managing the Phenomenon of Street Children in an African Developing Country
A lack of understanding of the phenomenon of street children restricts the government of Namibia in their attempts to integrate street children into a programme that will lead to sustainable improvement in their lives. This research study intends to describe the general characteristics, behavioural patterns and the causes of the phenomenon in order to enable the government to prevent, manage and provide an efficient service to the street children of Namibia and the different role players involved.

Minimising the Impact of HIV in East Hararghe and Harar
This is a detailed report of two community-based research projects carried out in Ethiopia into young people's sexual health and sexual behaviour. Using participatory methods, including focus groups, individual interviews, stakeholder workshops and household survey questionnaires, the research team identified the different reasons why young men and women in the area are vulnerable to HIV. Appendices provide details of the methodology and people involved. Findings are analysed and recommendations made.

Mkombozi Census 2005: A Comparative Analysis of Tanzania's Most Vulnerable Children
This census follows-up the census conducted in June 2003 and as such provides a comparative picture of how the situation of the most vulnerable children has altered over an 18 month period. It also enables Mkombozi to monitor whether the efforts of its projects in 4 target communities are having a positive impact in reducing the number of children coming to the streets from these areas.

Mkombozi Census 2006: The Rhetoric and Reality of Tanzania's Street Children
This paper presents the findings from Mkombozi's October 2006 Census, which assessed the trends and situation of vulnerable children on the streets in the Tanzanian towns of Arusha and Moshi.

Mkombozi Centre for Street Children: Press Release
Press Release outlining the findings from Mkombozi's 2005 census providing a detailed comparative analysis of the situation of Tanzania's most vulnerable children over a 18  monthy period.

Multiple Vulnerabilities: Qualitative Data for the Study of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in South Africa
This research is based on qualatative methods used to develop an understanding of the core dynamics affecting OVC in communities in the Kopanong and Kanana communities. The findings will facilitate the development and implemenattion of interventions to assist OVC, their families and communities.

Namibia Child Activities Survey 1999
This report is the first of its kind on child activities in Namibia. The indicators derived show the extent to which the Namibian society has compromised the rights of some children, contrary to the constitutional provisions, the Labour Act and the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. The results of future studies of this kind would show the progress being made in safeguarding the interests of children in the country. It is hoped that all the concerned agencies, in the government and the private sector, would find the information useful in ensuring Namibia's compliance with national and international standards for the employment of children and for safeguarding their welfare.The over all objective of 1999 NCAS was to provide baseline data on the activities of the child population in Namibia for planning, policy formulation and the implementation of government development programmes aimed at improving the status of the vulnerable socio-economic groups in the Namibian population, such as children. The 1999 NCAS was conducted on a sample basis covering the whole country in February/March 1999. The data collected are presented in the report at national, regional as well as rural and urban levels. The target group for this survey was the population of children aged 6 to 18 years, in accordance with the United Nations definition of a child and the official definition of the schooling age in Namibia.

National Policy Options for Educationally Marginalised Children
This policy for Educationally Marginalised Children (EMC) has been developed in response to recognition that special efforts were needed in order to allow for universal access to education as is outlined in the Constitution. The policy for educationally marginalised children should also be seen as part of the Government's policy regarding poverty reduction. The policy is intended to be temporary due to a belief that there should be a situation, fairly soon, when there is no need for a special policy for educationally marginalised children.

Networking for Policy Change: An Advocacy Training Manual

Organizational Diagnosis for Advocacy
When groups are considering advocacy, it is helpful for them to assess what advocacy actually can offer their organization, what some of the benefits and risks might be and what organizational barriers might influence their success.

Orphans and Children 2004 Situation Analysis
This report provides an overview of the five studies which compromise the 2004 situation analysis of Zambia's orphans and vulnerable children, using the findings from these studies to provide a picture of the situation of Zambia's orphans and vulnerable children, and of the changes, current response and future challenges of improving the situation.

Participatory Action Research: Local Causation of Primary School Drop-outs and Exclusions in the Kilimanjaro Region
This study uses Participatory Action Research as a tool for bringing about societal transformation and includes the active participation of school communites, teachers, students, District Education Officers and community. The findings have been used to propose and initiate changes that address the 'push factors' driving children away from school.

Pathways to Action: HIV/AIDS prevention, children and young people in South Africa
This extensive literature review covers research into HIV and AIDS and proposes 'pathways to action' in the response.This an extensive literature review that covers research into and surveys of HIV and AIDS, young people's responses, campaigns and analyses of support initiatives. It looks at difficulties in evaluating specific programmes, while analysing the concepts underpinning them. It examines approaches to, and trends in, intervention programmes and draws attention to factors that need to be taken into account in understanding young people and developing appropriate responses. The report suggests there has been an underestimation of achievements to date.

Pawns of Conflict: Children, Conflict and Peace in Northern Uganda
This report examines the impact of the armed conflict in Northern Uganda on the countries children, including abductions by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and mass displacement. Recommendations are made to the Ugnadan government and International actors, which call for the protection of children to be made a top priority.

Perception Survey - Survey of Community Members' Perceptions of Children who are Living or Working in the Streets
Mkombozi raises awareness in Moshi and Arusha about root causes of child migration to the streets. During 2008 and 2009, this was partly achieved via educational drama performances in urban market locations where a number of children live, work and interact with many community members on a daily basis. In 2009, Mkombozi used the opportunities provided by drama performances to conduct a survey of community perceptions of children who live/work in the streets.Specifically, Mkombozi's "Perception Survey" was conducted to learn community member's beliefs about why children go to the streets, and what these children are like. The goal was to use the insights gained from the survey findings as a baseline that can inform Mkombozi’s ongoing awareness raising and programmes. Mkombozi has compiled the findings of the survey into a comprehensive report which reveals the ideas and assumptions that exist within the community around this issue. The report also offers analysis of findings and discussion about how different perceptions might lead to different kinds of social action for children...

Police Round-ups of Street Children in Arusha are Unjust, Inhumane and Unconstitutional: Position Paper
This position paper provideas an overview of the current situation of street children round-ups in Arusha, specific violations of domestic and international law that occur during the round-ups and detentions and concludes with recommendations to ensure that round-ups are stopped and street children are provided with appropriate child protection and juvenile justice services.   

Police Round-ups of Street Children in Arusha are Unjust, Unconstitutional and Undermine the United Republic of Tanzania Constitution and Rule of Law: Legal Research Paper
The purpose of this legal research paper is to advance an informed debate amongst Tanzanian Government and Civil Society regarding the constitutionality of police round-ups of street children. Specifically, this paper contrasts international and domestic standards for child protection with the DC's current round-up methodology, revealing violations of human and child rights at each stage of the round-up process.

Policy Paralysis: A Call for Action on HIV/AIDS-Related Human Rights Abuses Against Women and Girls in Africa
Human Rights Watch has documented many gender-based human rights abuses in Africa that fuel the epidemic and make unbearable the lives of women and girls already living with HIV/AIDS. Their research is based largely on the moving and often horrifying stories told to us by African women and girls who have suffered abuse; many such stories are featured in this report. It is our hope that some understanding of the human reality of these abuses will lead to greater protection of the rights of the girls and women like those who have courageously told us of their experiences at the center of a deadly epidemic.

Poverty HIV and Barriers to Education: Street Childrens Experiences in Tanzania
This article discusses the links between poverty, HIV/AIDS, and barriers to education, based on the first-hand experiences of ‘street children' in northern Tanzania. Within the context of national levels of poverty, ‘cost-sharing' in health and education sectors, and the AIDS epidemic, poor families in Tanzania are under considerable pressure, and increasing numbers of girls and boys are consequently seeking a living independently on the streets of towns and cities. My research with street children shows that some children orphaned by AIDS are subject to rejection and exploitation by the extended family after the death of their parent(s). They are exposed to considerable risks of abuse, sexual violence and HIV within the street environment. Here, I discuss the links between poverty, HIV and barriers to education, which compound young people's vulnerability, and offer some policy recommendations in response to the young people's experiences.

Practice Handbook: Methodology for Practicing and Delivering Non-formal Education in Tanzania
This handbook was initially written for Mkombozi educatord delivering Non-Formal Education to street children. However, it's principles and practices are also applicable in a school-based context.

Predicting the Social Consequences of Orphanhood in South Africa
This paper examines and questions the predictions found in the academic and policy literature of social breakdown in Southern Africa in the wake of anticipated high rates of orphanhood caused by the AIDS epidemic. The paper argues that such apocalyptic predictions are unfounded and ill-considered. By misrepresenting the problems faced by children and their families, attention is distracted from the multiple layers of social, economic and psychological disadvantage that affect individual children, families and communities.

Profile of Street Children in Zambia
This report presents a profile of street children interviewed in June 2006 in 12 Zambian towns by means of a structured questionnaire with a view to understand the problem better by gathering life style and life circumstances data. It should be emphasised that the data is not based on a census but on what can be defined as a sample of sufficient size (1584 respondents) to produce reliable data. The study confirmed many findings of previous findings in respect of basic descriptive data on street children, but advances were also made in respect of a more detailed analysis.

Rapid Assessment of Street Children In Lusaka
A rapid assessment of children living on the streets of Lusaka was conducted in April and May 2001 by a group of Zambian NGOs under the auspices of Africa KidSAFE, a network of NGOs providing services to street children, initiated jointly by Project Concern International Zambia (PCIZ) and Fountain of Hope (FOH). The main objectives of the rapid assessment were: 1) to provide information on the basic demographics, background characteristics, and needs of street children in Lusaka, 2) to provide information to NGOs, the government, and other stakeholders for planning and implementing a program of withdrawal of children from the streets, and 3) to build the capacity of NGOs to systematically gather and record information on street children.This report presents the findings from the assesment as well as recommendations made by participants at a workshop held to disseminate and discuss the findings of the rapid assessment.

Reclaiming Our Lives: HIV and AIDS, Women's Land and Property Rights, and Livelihoods in Southern and Eastern Africa
This collection of narratives from East and Southern Africa aims to raise awareness not only about the heavy impact of HIV and AIDS on women's property rights and livelihoods in the region but also about the active steps being taken by grass roots organisations to respond to the crisis.  

Research on Street Children in Kenya
This study of the phenomenon of street children in Kenya gives a general historical background to the problem, followed by a brief survey of the scant literature available. The major part of the study includes a field survey of street children and assessment of the policies, programmes and laws affecting street children. The study sites included the urban centres of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Narok and Kitui. The sample population included 634 street children, 32 parents of street children and 80 members of the general public. Interviews, questionnaires, observations and a study of secondary sources formed the methodology.

Sexual Abuse in Tanzania's Schools: Case Studies from Majengo Community
Action alert from Mkombozi Centre for Streeet Children drawing attention to cases of child abuse in Tanzanian primary schools.

Situation Analysis of Orphan Children in Namibia
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) commissioned a situation analysis of orphan children in Namibia, including children orphaned by AIDS. Financed by UNICEF and conducted by SIAPAC, a local social research firm, the study was intended to measure both the quantitative extent of the orphan situation and to qualitatively establish the situations these orphans faced. The purpose of the situation analysis of orphan children in Namibia was to analyse and provide an understanding of the present situation of orphans children in Namibia. The aim was to feed into a process of intervention identification and consideration of the expansion/redirection of existing interventions to better meet the needs of orphans. As the study proceeded parallel progress was made in defining vulnerable children more widely in Namibia. Therefore, this study is to be used by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and its partners in development, more broadly for vulnerable children programming.

Situational Analysis of Trajectories and Factors Leading to the Prevelance of Children Living and Working on the Streets of Harare
The purpose of this report is to present the findings of a Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) of the situational analysis of the trajectories and factors leading to the prevalence of children living and working on the Streets of Harare, among the inhabitants of Jacha area in Epworth. The consultative participatory rapid appraisal assessment drew lessons from the inhabitants' knowledge and experiences with regards to the achievements of the situational analysis of the factors likely to predispose children and young mothers to flock into the streets of Harare. The report also gives recommendations for future interventions and if need be for possible replication elsewhere. The report is divided into three sections. Section1 looks at the background and introduction to the Participatory Rapid Appraisal. Section 2 delves on the findings there from. Section 3 centres on recommendations, while section 4 has appendices.

Social Protection of Africa's Orphans and other Vulnerable Children
This paper reviews initiatives for orphans and vulnerable children by governments, NGOs, and the World Bank, with a view toward delineating good practices. Designing and implementing appropriate interventions to protect orphans in Africa is a daunting task. This paper examines some of the issues in program design, especially those bearing on targeting. It also assesses the advantages, disadvantages, and costeffectiveness of various program interventions, including education and health subsidies, fostering, orphanages, and children's villages.

South African Street Children at Risk for AIDS?
This paper discusses the vunearbility of South African street children to contraction of HIV, examining attitudes, knowledge, beliefs and behaviour. The paper then goes on to discuss methods for conveying information about HIV/AIDS to street children.

Street children and Gangs in African Cities: Guidelines for Local Authorities
The objective of this report to provide guidelines for local authorities in Africa on how to deal with street children in their cities. This is done by: 1) Providing an overview of the issue of street children in general 2)Providing an overview of the issue of different roles local authorities can play when addressing the issue of street children.

Street Children and Juvenile Justice in Kenya
CSC has undertaken a two-year research and advocacy project with local partners to examine the situation of street children in juvenile justice systems in six countries: Kenya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Romania. This report documents the findings from this project in relation to Kenya. Research was undertaken and national, cross-sectoral workshops were convened involving street children themselves, civil society organisations, the police, judiciary, social and probation services and other stakeholders to identify key obstacles to the implementation of international human rights standards for street children in juvenile justicesystems in each country. With an emphasis on constructive dialogue and collaboration between civil society and government, the workshops addressed issues of national relevance, examined examples of innovative good practice in this area and outlined recommendations for further action.

Street Children and Street Life in Urban Tanzania: The Culture of Surviving and its Implications for Children's Health
This paper is based on an in-depth study of street children carried out in Dar es Salaam from 1994-5. The main objectives were to identify structures and processes that generate and perpetuate the increasing number of street children, to understand the historical background of these children and to examine the inmplication of street life on their health.

Street Children in Gaborone, Botswana: Causes and Policy Implications
The broad objective of the study is to identify areas of habitation of male street children in Gaborone, their origins aswell as previous and current socio-economic characteristics. Their reasons for being on the street as well as their attitudes towards family health issues were also examined.

Street Children in Nairobi: Gender Differences in Mental Health
This paper argues that although living on the street is an accepted way for Kenyan boys to cope with family poverty, girls are expected to remain at home. Thus girls' presence on the street is more likely to reflect family breakdown and be associated with negative developmental and mental health outcomes.

Street Children: The Situation in East and Southern Africa
Statement by Andy Sexton, International Director for Children at Risk OAS!S, to the House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, Human Rights and Global Operations Hearing; 'Protecting Street Children: Vigilantes or the Rule of Law?' This statement examines the situation of street children, using case studies from Ugnada and Zimbabwe,  and concludes with recommendations for international action.

Street Youth in Southern Africa
This article aims to systematically identify and describe contributions social scientists have made to our understanding of street youth in Southern Africa. The article points to problems of defining and doing research on street youth, and to areas in which there are difference of view point. Understanding the phenomenon of street children is needed for designing and fine tuning policy and programmes towards them  

Survey on Street Involved Children & Youth in Tanzania
The Consortium for Street Children (CSC) was requested by the Ministry of Community Development, Gender & Children of the Republic of Tanzania to offer advice on the creation of a National Strategy for Street Children. CSC secured funding for and facilitated: 1) A Street Children Planning Conference which was held in Dar es Salaam from 19th to 21st January 2009 and was attended by 83 representatives from government ministries, municipalities, international agencies, international and local NGOs, bilateral organisations, 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". 2) A survey of almost 2300 children on the streets in 7 major urban centres around Tanzania (in addition to a pilot survey of 411 children conducted in the 8th city, Mwanza, in 2008) conducted in July and August 2009 by trained teams of government and NGO staff involved in supporting Tanzania's most vulnerable children. This report summarises the process and results

Swaziland: HIV/AIDS, Work and Development
Thir report presents a situational analysis of the prevelance of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland as well as its economic impact. The report concludes that given the threat posed by AIDS, it is essential that a national response be mainstreamed across all major sectors, rather than being seen purely as a health issue. The workplace serves as a platform for programmes to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS-related issues and of the urgent need for prevention measures. Such programmes should include trade unions and local employers' expertise, and policies should be formulated under tripartite agreements.

Temperament characteristics of street and non-street children in Eldoret, Kenya
This cross-sectional study examines the interaction of temperament and environment and how these impact on the psychological function of street children and non-street children in Eldoret Kenya. The results support earlier research on street children. Counter to public opinion and hostility, the children are resilient, adaptable and flexibile in the face of adversity and remaining well adjusted as individuals. 

The experiences and priorities of young people who care for their siblings in Tanzania and Uganda
This report presents key findings from a small-scale pilot research project that explored the experiences and priorities of young people caring for their siblings in sibling-headed households affected by AIDS in Tanzania and Uganda. Qualitative and participatory research was conducted with 33 young people living in sibling-headed households and 39 NGO staff and community members in rural and urban areas of Tanzania and Uganda. The report analyses the ways that young people manage transitions to caring for their younger siblings following their parents' death and the impacts of caring on their family relations, education, emotional wellbeing and health, social lives and their transitions to adulthood. The study highlights gendered- and age-related differences in the nature and extent of young people's care work and discusses young people's needs and priorities for action, based on the views of young people, NGO staff and community members.

The Face of Uganda: A Photo Essay
David Brunetti has just returned from Uganda where he was working on an assignment. He traveled to the north of Uganda and stayed in the Pader district. Pader is one of the areas affected most severely by the conflict with the Lord Resistance Army (LRA), which had forced many to leave their homes and seek security in one of the IDP (internally Displacd Persons) camps the government established. Today, after a relative period of calm, the government expects the IDPs to return to their villages and aid agencies are withdrawing their support gradually. But many people, most notably those who were affected most severely by the war - the elderly, single parents, orphans, former child soldiers or their relatives, are finding it very hard to raise the funds and strength to relocate again.  The project is based on David's experiences in Uganda and the stories he has been told by those left behind.

The Law of Succession in Kenya: Gender Perspectives in Property Management and Control
This booklet addresses the question of succession or inheritance vis-a-vis the Kenyan woman. It gives an account of the historical background to the laws of succession in thsi country, namely; customary, Moslem, Hindu and Common Law. It also examines the link between marriage and succession and land law and succession.

The Problem of Street Children in Africa: An Ignored Tragedy
This paper examines Africa's response to the growing problem of street children. Taking Tanzania as a case study the paper examines initiatives that have been and are being taken by various segments of the community to address the problem of street children. What kinds of policies and strategies are African governments putting in place, what is the family and community doing? For instance, to what extent are families, schools and individual members of society dealing with the problem? Indeed, how is the government dealing with the increasing numbers of unsupervised children living alone in urban streets? What role can Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and communitybased organizations play in addressing the problem of street children?

The Psychological Assessment of South African Street Children
This paper provides a psychological study of South African street children based on traditional methods of psychometric testing and clinical assessment. In 1988 the director of Street-Wise, a national non-governmental organization providing feeding, shelter and educational programs for street children, requested the first author to undertake a study to ascertain realistic educational goals for children in the program in Johannesburg, at the same time establishing baseline data against which to evaluate the efficacy of the then existing Street-Wiseprograms (Richter 1991). These programs operate at different levels: basic lifeskill training, functional literacy and numeracy, special catch-up schooling, return to community schooling and vocational training. A number of factors were perceived to complicate decisions about where individual children would be best placed, including their scholastic backgrounds, the possibility of unrecognized perceptual and neurological problems, and the boys' own changing agendas with regard to their future, including education and vocational choices.

The Rights of the Child in Kenya: Kenya must take Further Action to Bring itself into Compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Press release by the World Organistaion against Torture, following the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's consideration of the second periodic report of Kenya on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, calling for the Kenyan government to take further action to bring itself into compliance with the CRC.   

The Story of Children Living and Working on the Streets of Nairobi
The study sought to look at the complex lives of the children living and or working in the streets of 12 selected locations of Nairobi, namely: Kibera, Korogocho, Kasarani, Nairobi West/Wilson Airport/Madaraka, Pumwani/Ziwani/Kariakor/Majengo, City Centre, Buru Buru/Kariobangi South/KCC, Dandora/Maili Saba, Huruma/Kariobangi, Embakasi, Mukuru and Mathare/Eastleigh/Pangani by adopting a broad-based, two pronged approach. It sought to do a headcount of these children profiling their lives in detail. Unlike previous studies that include children from the sprawling slums this study only dealt with those children either living or working on the streets. The study also attempted to go beyond the numbers to reconstuct their lives as they live it on a daily basis.The broad objectives of the study were: to generate information useful for project planning, to map out the situation of street children in different areas of Nairobi, to distinguish the proportions of the different categories of street children in Nairobi, to give the children an opportunity to express their views regarding their lives on the street and to provide partner organisations with a situational analysis of the children that they work with.

The Treatment of Children in the Criminal Justice System and the Progress of Street Children’s Rights in Kenya
The main objectives of this dissertation are to determine what factors cause children to go to the streets. By identifying these factors it will enable preventative measures to develop in terms of how to combat these problems in the initial stages before children take to the streets. Many children who go to the streets come into contact with the criminal justice system and it is the treatment of these children in the criminal justice system that is of importance, as these children are amongst the most vulnerable in society. The following questions are addressed; what are the factors that lead to children taking to the streets and consequentially, in conflict with the law and how can they be controlled and reduced; how are children treated through the criminal justice system and is this treatment in accordance with child protection articles internationally and in Kenya; what impact does violence have on children and how does this affect their rehabilitation.

The Victimization of Juvenile Prostitutes in Ethiopia
This paper quantifies the victimisation experienced by 30 juvenile prostitutes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy three per cent had been raped at least once and ninety three per cent had been beaten in the course of their work. Only 50% used contraception, resulting in a pregnancy rate of 37%. Findings indicate that prostitution is a highly victimogenic lifestyle, fostered by conditions of extreme deprivation. Policy and practice implications are discussed.

To Have and to Hold: Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights in the Context of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Sahara Africa
This paper seeks to examine the link between HIV/AIDS and women's property rights - if women's lack of rights increases household poverty and women's own vulnerability to infection, and if securing these rights can mitigate the impoverishing impact of the epidemic. The first section of this report explores the relationship between HIV/AIDS and women's property and inheritance rights, and how women may be better able to prevent infection or mitigate its consequences if these rights are protected. The second section discusses the ways that women can obtain access to and control over property and how these rights are often denied in practice, and then provides several country examples. The third section explains de jure and de facto rights to ownership and inheritance and discusses how to bridge the gap when the two differ. The fourth section highlights some "best practices" in efforts to ensure women's property and inheritance rights. The report concludes with lessons learned and suggested next steps.

Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children, in Africa
The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of key issues related to the trafficking of human beings, particularly women and children, in Africa. The report presents a preliminary mapping of trafficking patterns and provides an indication of emerging good practices on the continent.

Uganda’s Response to Street Children: Investigating the Validity and Impact of the Kamparingisa National Rehabilitation Centre (KNRC) in Working with Street Children in Uganda
Street Children have become a world wide phenomenon and often solutions seem either to be short sighted or instituted for alternative reasons besides the welfare of children. However, the world is slowly waking to the fact that there are consequences beyond human suffering to turning a blind eye to street children. Uganda has moved forward with a plan to get children off of the streets, rehabilitated and repatriated. This plan has the advantage of partnerships between different levels of government and NGOs.2 The response is a trial that focuses on Uganda's capital city Kampala and includes relocating children to the Kamparingisa National Rehabilitation Center.As other cities in Uganda, and the global community look for answers which address the dynamic social issues presented by street children the KNRC response will undoubtedly be looked to as a potential model. However, even creative plans need to be investigated, examined and scrutinized before they can most effectively help children. Thus, this paper is designed to provide a broad overview of the KRNC model from the perspective of the main stakeholders in the community. From this starting point research can be done to more effectively develop a framework from which to study this model.After interviewing the stakeholders, it would appear that KNRC is a plan withwide governmental acceptance and to a large extent, acclaim from the community.However, there are problems recognized by the government, the community, and inparticular the children themselves the NGOs working with them. Understanding theseproblems and developing responses that are owned by the whole community is going tobe a process requiring reordering of fiscal priorities, gathering helpful input from allstakeholders, and a willingness to forge strong, lasting partnerships with all involved.1

Women's Access to Land in Zambia
This paper examines women's access to land in Zambia, giving an overview of the issues affecting women's security of tenure and providing recommendations for future initiatives.

Youth Delinquency and the Criminal Justice System in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
This paper aims to provide better information regarding youth involved in crime thtatcan inform the interventions provided by local authorities, service providers and those local government departments dealing with youth at risk and youth offenders. A better understanding is required on the motivations why children and youth become involved in crime, as well as the risk factors that may drive them to commit crimes. This will ultimately lead to more effective initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of youth at risk. Consequently, the Dar es Salaam youth offender survey was initiated to gain a better understanding of the levels of crime and violence committed by youth in the Dar es Salaam, and to try and attain an understanding of the causes and reasons that drive youth to commit crime. The aim of this document is to present a descriptive analysis of the findings.

Youth on the Streets: The Importance of Social Interactions on Psychological Well-being in an African Context
This study reflects four months of research including a two-week field assignment to Ethiopia, with the overall goal of gaining greater understanding of the impact of street youth programming on psychosocial well-being. The research was conducted through a partnership between the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) and the George Washington University (GWU). It contains three deliverables, including a new framework for child well-being, the identification of five key program components of street children interventions that are most likely to successfully contribute to psychosocial well-being, and the development of indicators to measure outcomes and impacts within these five domains.

Youth, Street Gangs and Violence in South Africa
This paper addresses some of the causal factors of marginalised youth who find their home and sense of belonging on the street. It discusses some of the many contributory social and political factors that determine young people's movement to the streets, and that influence the roles they assume. In addition, it examines the link between street youth and street gangs, and their relationship to crime. The final part of this study considers how the criminal justice system deals with such youth, and explores alternative restorative judicial mechanisms.

Resources

The Face of Uganda: A Photo Essay
David Brunetti has just returned from Uganda where he was working on an assignment. He traveled to the north of Uganda and stayed in the Pader district. Pader is one of the areas affected most severely by the conflict with the Lord Resistance Army (LRA), which had forced many to leave their homes and seek security in one of the IDP (internally Displacd Persons) camps the government established. Today, after a relative period of calm, the government expects the IDPs to return to their villages and aid agencies are withdrawing their support gradually. But many people, most notably those who were affected most severely by the war - the elderly, single parents, orphans, former child soldiers or their relatives, are finding it very hard to raise the funds and strength to relocate again.  The project is based on David's experiences in Uganda and the stories he has been told by those left behind