A Christian Response to Street Children Phenomenon

Street children are a fairly recent phenomenon in Zimbabwe, becoming a feature of its society after independence in 1980. As they struggle for daily survival, street children also face an early loss of childhood and are exposed to the multi-dangers of abuse, drugs, disease, HIV/AIDS, sexual violence by pedophiles, and other street children. The answer to their problem lies, to a large extent, with the Christian community since its special relationship with God reflects the mandate and passion which lie beneath its call and vision. It is against this background and interest in children that the writer has determined to offer a contribution to child welfare issues in Zimbabwe. Considering the potential which children have to excel in life, it may be argued that denying street children rights available to other children creates a two-fold problem. Firstly, the child lives an unfulfilled life, and secondly the community buries someone who never received an opportunity to exercise his or her full potential. In light of this, it can be strongly contended that street children are part of the society's most valuable commodity and yet they are abandoned to face their own fate.