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Summary
 30
CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1. Introduction

The variety of children living within the streets is increasing across the globe and African
2
countries not the exception. This research aims to analyze the life experiences of children living
in the streets being attentive or giving a selected target, Mutare CBD. This chapter provides the
15
background to the study, statement of the problem, research objectives, research questions,
limitations and delimitations of the study.

1.2 Background to the study

The development of children living in the streets has become a standard feature of the daily lives
1
inside the Third World cities similar to doing odd jobs, scavenging for food, mendicancy and
stealing. Each country within the world consists of children living in the streets who board the
streets that may be a results of family disintegration or the breakdown of extended family
likewise the economic meltdown inside the context of Zimbabwe and poverty as the key driver
or key issue. For instance, social issues similar to HIV/AIDS, poverty has contributed to the
1
increase of children living in the streets. The number of children living in the streets has
distended within the World, OAU (1992) reportable that this phenomena was initial in continent
6
in the late Sixties however it's currently believed that the population of children living in the
3
streets is popularly over sixteen million in Africa. The development of children living in the
streets has become a common thing. Therefore, the study seeks to articulate methods to enhance
3
and reform the lives of children living in the streets.
1
1.3 Statement of the problem

The phenomenon of children living in the streets dates back to the 90s. McAlpine et al (2009)
noted that from the angle of community mental health, human rights and economic development
as a challenge. There are quiet variety of interplaying factors promoting the prevalence of
children living in the streets that stimulates undesirable behaviour due to their vulnerability,
likewise as lack of positive and protective parenting which the analysis intends to explore.
 19
1.4 Justification of the study
3
The findings of this study adds up data to society regarding issues faced by children living
within the streets. Putting into consideration of the impacts of Covid-19 which deteriorated or
worsened the lives of children, some became orphans and opted for street life whereas others
healthy conditions were slackened and others died of the pandemic. Thus, it triggered the
1
research worker to hold out the study anew by looking into the challenges that are faced by
children living within the streets in their day to day lives and by therefore doing, the research
worker was additionally inquisitive about making an attempt to work out the methods that may
3
improve the lives of the children living in the streets since there's a endless increment amongst
this population and different studies dole out has it that the foremost population of children
dwells in the streets. Per, Henry Mayhew (1851), reputed that a lot of children all round the
4
world board the street and in poverty, hence, most of of these children are limited to health care
and education. The study is taken into account to be vital since it equips awareness regarding the
1
plight and challenges faced by children living within the streets within the context of Zimbabwe
in Mutare CBD.

1.5 Aim

To establish methods that may improve the conditions of kids living in the streets, Mutare CBD.
3
1.6 Objectives

 To explore the challenges faced by children living in the streets in Mutare.

2
 To explore life experiences of children living in the streets in Mutare.
5
 To establish strategies to enhance the conditions of children living in the streets.

1.7 Research questions

2
 What are the factors that lead children to live in the streets in Mutare?
6
 What are the experiences of children living in the streets?
5
 What are the strategies that can be applied to enhance the conditions of children living
in the streets?
 1.8 Conclusion
20
In this chapter, the research worker has managed to debate the background of the study,
statement of the problem, objectives, and significance of the study, limitations and delimitations
of the study. The aim of this analysis was printed and explained.

22
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
3
This chapter provides literature review on the challenges being faced by children living in the
4
streets. This chapter takes note of the explanations that lead children to live in the streets.
However, the Government of Republic of Zimbabwe and different organisations have managed
4
to combat the challenges faced by street children.
1
2.2 Challenges faced by children living in the streets

There are variety of challenges faced by children living in the streets. These include drug abuse,
poor health and sexual abuse. These challenges are explained thoroughly in the following
1
sections. According to Abdelfattah (2012), psychological challenges faced by children living in
the streets are drug abuse, sexual abuse, violence and social challenges that are characterised by
the absence of basic needs as shelter, food and education.
1
2.2.1 Challenges faced by children living in the streets

2.2.1.1 Unemployment

Children are susceptible to child labour and unemployment. Samoa Observer Editorial (2014)
states that it's been found that child labour is seen through street selling and agriculture.
Thomson, (2001) notes that variety of causes, together with vending, beggary and automotive
washes, the bulk of street children in African country abandon their establishment and return to
the streets. Akinpelu (2008) and Okuwa (2008), postulated that half of the population cannot
3
afford 3 meals a day. because the Nigerians still swim in poverty, thus, the number of children
5
living in the streets continue to skyrocket. In Zimbabwe, children living in the streets are found
merchandising little things on the roads, market places and railway stations (UNICEF 2007).

2.2.1.2 Poor sanitation

28
Kariuku et.al (2012) defines poor sanitation as lack of access to clean drinking water, inadequate
hygiene and sanitation. In India, 29.6% of children living in the streets use ocean water and 11%
use pipe water. They take their bath in open places like sea and rivers, street children expose
their bodies to coldness and this lead to diseases admire anaemia. lllness is rife among street
children due to unsafe disposal of human excreta. Children living in the streets are called
“chokora” or “scavengers”, since they access public fountain and purchase water from kiosks
(Cornban and Hilderbrand, 2015). Hossain (2013) notes that in capital of Bangladesh city,
children face challenges of inadequate food, poor nutrition, contaminated water and air pollution.
They sleep in slums stuffed with a swamp of muck, rubbish and mosquitoes and that is the
reason for difficulties in capital of Bangladesh town (Urbanisation in Bangladesh, 2003).

2.2.1.3 Low education levels

5
Education is a tool for transmittal data and skills. A study carried in 2004 showed that 60% of
children living in the streets are not educated, (Kombarakantancis, 2004). According to
Department of Education (2001) states that African countries have no specific classification of
3
children living in the streets. According to Kumalasari and Wijayanti (2013), pinpointed that
5 5
children living in the streets find it difficult to access to education. In Egypt, children living in
the streets earn a living as street musicians. Whereas, in South Africa, it had been noted that
children of the streets are sexually active than children on the streets and the sexual initiation
began between the ages of ten and sixteen years as a result of lack education and knowledge.
14
(Olley, 2006). Thus, it is evident that children living in the streets have interaction into sexual
activities at a young age.

2.2.1.4 Poor health facilities

Children face difficulties in coping with health issues. Health issues that are experienced
throughout childhood are possible to grow into adulthood (Boakye-Boaten, 2006). In Lusaka
1
12.4% of the children living in the streets are reported to suffer from Malaria, 6.8% from
headache and 3.5 percent metabolism infections. (Lemba 2002). There are many factors that
prohibit children of the streets from obtaining medical facilities and these are monetary problems,
lack of knowledge, travel distance and unavailability of health services, medicaton and suppliers
(clinic and doctors). Globally, children living within the streets expertise poor health and that
they fall sick to malaria, headaches, chest pain, anaemia, skin diseases, hair lice, HIV/AIDS,
dental problems, and internal organ parasites. (Thapa, Ghatane, and Rimal, 2009). Tuberculosis,
pneumonia, and protozoal infection are major infectious diseases common in West and East
Africa. (Gregson, Nyamukapa, Garnett et .al, 2005). A study carried out in Alexandria showed
that variety of ill-fed and anaemia among children living within the streets was terribly high
(Nada, Khaled, and Suliman. (2010). In African nation and Cameron a report was carried out and
it indicated these countries as violating children’s rights to physiological care.(Maslow 2016)
African countries have several sensible national laws, relating to protection of children rights and
these policies are simply on paper and not properly enforced (United Nations 2006).

2.2.1.5 Lack of nutrious food

5
Children living in the streets lack access to nutritious food and they feed from the bins. Barasi
(2003) describe nutrition as essential to the body’s healthiness and unbalanced diet weakens the
immune system. About 73% of children living in the streets in Bangladesh town suffer from
chronic deficiency disease while mortality and quality standing is rife among street dwellers
(ICDDRB, 2010). Lack of nutritious food lead to deficiency diseases, alimentation K, rickets and
iron deficiency.

2.2.1.6 Substance Abuse

3
Substance abuse is considered common among children living in the streets. In Republic of
India and Brazil the foremost common medication are tobacco, cannabis and plant toxin (Islam
et.al ,2014). Anderson (2004) viewed that the most drug usage in Gambia was quite 60% and
therefore the most common medication were volatile solvents, cigarettes and cannabis, heroin,
clonazepam, Valium and bronazepam. According to the globe Report on Drugs, (2012) 3.4% to
8
6.6% of the population are drug users. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
(2006) noted that children of the streets in Republic of India are at high risk of substance abuse.
According to Matutu (2019), in Republic of Zimbabwe the prevalence of substance abuse is at
75% among teens and therefore the common abused drugs is marijuana and alcohol. Appong,
Meyer-Weitz, Peterson (2014) noted that in African nation, substance abuse marijuana and
alcohol is of 12 and 16.2% and that drug usage among the children of the streets differs with sex
and age. In 2018, it had been noticed that European countries have the best rates of significant
alcohol use that embody cannabis, opioid and cocain.
Peacock et .al (2018), denoted that substance abuse is turning into a challenge to each ladies and
boys who live in the streets. Zilch and Suliman (2010) noted that African countries have policies
on drug abuse and penalization for those merchandising drugs to minors, as drugs are being sold
on the wayside and these substances and alcoholic abuse results to unsafe sexual practice, gangs,
drug trafficking, fighting, mental illness, early pregnancies, coughing and pain (Tuku et.al 2015).

2.2.1.7 Sexual assault and Violence

5
Children living in the streets are labeled as children in difficulties as a result they are homeless
and that they sleep in unprotected open places that are prone to every type of abuse. There are
1
sorts of abuse being experienced by children living in the streets and these are physical,
psychological, sexual, social isolation, informal sex work and exaggerated aggression, rape
(Laura et .al, 2012). Juma et .al (2013), in desert countries , children of the are prone to sexual
8
abuse, rape, harlotry and sexual battering. ln keeping with United Nations International
Children's Emergency Fund (2007), violence against children in Republic of India embody
neglect, emotional abuse, sexual assault and exploitation. In Republic of Zimbabwe young boys
engage in sex with older boys for cover (UNICEF 2001). Abuse could be a major concern and a
greatest challenge among children living within the streets.

2.3 Theoretical Framework

Theoretical framework shows a guide for the research topic. Brondizio, Leeman’s and Solecki
(2014) shows that the specific theory or theories concerning aspects of human endeavor that can
be helpful to the study are known as the theoretical framework.. The researcher is going to use
psychosocial development theory. The psychosocial development theory is an influential theory
4
developed by Erik Erikson in 1950s. The theory explains the reasons that trigger children to
move into the streets and these are poverty, family breakdown, neglect, abuse and abandonment
which results in violence and abuse in the streets. Therefore, according to psychosocial
development theory, the development of trust, autonomy, and initiative are influenced by parents
and siblings. (Erickson, 1963). McLeeod (2018) states that Erikson in his psychosocial
development theory mentioned eight stages of development from infancy to adulthood. Erickson
noted that development is something which takes time from birth to death and each stage needs
to be natured, monitored and controlled. According to Psychosocial development theory
adolescent stage is the most crucial stage that needs monitoring because development depend on
what we do (Erikson,1963).Children who are forced to live in the streets due to poverty are
trapped in between some of Erikson psychosocial development stages. They face a stiffer
challenge of abuse and violence which is the same as the one they experienced from home, hence
Erikson emphasised that parents and siblings influence development of trust (Sorell and
Montgomery , 2001) .Sorell and Montgomery (2001) alluded that children of the streets
experience negative signals from society as well, which makes them feel they lack an identity.
Psychosocial development theory states that a person’s social environment have significant
impact on their development and convey important social messages. Therefore, children migrate
into the streets at vulnerable stages and they are prone to abuse and violence in the streets.

However, psychosocial development theory have loopholes as McAdams (1999) criticises this
theory providing evidence that suggest absence of distinct personality development phases.
Therefore McAdams provides a realistic perspective of personality development. Erikson (1964)
emphasise that psychosocial development theory, is more of a descriptive overview of human
social and emotional development than it is an explanation of how and why development takes
place.

2.4 Conclusion

Children living in the streets in several countries are vulnerable and they face challenges like
substance abuse, poor nutrition, poor health facilities, and low levels of education, abuse, poor
sanitation, and unemployment.
 25
CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Research methodology is portrayed as a logical combination of techniques that provide results

and information that are acceptable for the research topic and the researcher's goals (Polit and
Beck, 2004). The researcher took a qualitative research methodology because of its uniqueness
3
in investigating challenges being faced by children living in the streets with reference to Mutare
CBD. A type of research called qualitative research explores and offers more in-depth and
understanding of issues, problems and experiences that exist in the real World. There was the use
of interviews, observations, and questionnaires to gather full and detailed information.

3.2 Research Approach

13
Is the procedure of collecting, analysing, interpreting, and reporting data in research studies. The
research design enables one to use different methods to
26
3.3 Reseach Design
4
Is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data. It constituted the blueprint
for the collection, measurement and analysis of data, Kothari(2004). Regarding to this study, the
researcher made us of narrative research design to collective data from the children.
collect information and apply different methods to analyse the data collected. It is described as a
17
strategy for carrying out a study with the greatest amount of control over factors that can degrade
3
the validity of the results. (Burns and Grove, 2002). Hence, it provides a picture of challenges
being faced by children of the streets and also explains why such phenomenon occurs.
1
The research requires a dialogues with children living in the streets of Mutare CBD, hence
1
phenomenology design was used. Janti and Cox (2011), contended that the agent word in
phenomenological inquire about is describe subsequently emphasises on portraying, instead of
judging or interpreting. Easterby-Smith et .al (2008) noted that the advantage of phenomenology
is that it covers a range of situation ,it is fast ,it helps one to understand meanings attached by
participants and data gathered is seen as natural than artificial. There are steps considered when
undertaking a phenomenology design and these are intuiting, analysing and describing. Firstly,
Intuiting enables the researcher to understand the phenomenon or the aim of the
study .According to Umanailoin (2019) intuiting enables the researcher to dig deep on the
phenomenon from the participant about their life experiences. Secondly analysing is where the
researcher identified the meaning of the phenomenon .Umanailio (2019) notes that through
8
analysing the researcher explore the relationship and links between data with existing
phenomenon and analyse the data carefully. Lastly, describing enable the researcher to
8
communicate and provide written description of the critical elements that are based on the
classification and clustering phenomenon. Therefore, description gives a room for the researcher
8
to communicate the meaning and significance of the experience.

3.4 Study Setting

According to Shuts (2009), the study setting is the location where the research is conducted. The
researcher carried out the study at Simukai Child Protection Program, located in Mutare town.
7
Simukai Child Protection program is a registered voluntary organisation (PVO 27/12) which was
established in February 2000 as a result of partnership between Family Aids Trust (FACTMutare)
and Scripture Union. Simukai was established as a community response to the plight of abused,
neglected and abandoned children who are living in the streets and those in institutions. It has
6
managed to help some street children to become full potential and productive and responsible
members of the society. Simukai offers physical, psychological and spiritual rehabilitation in
6
Mutare. During interviews children living and working in the streets in Mutare explained how
SCPP is helping them street .They receive food during week days and clothes.

3.5 Target population

1
Kahori (2004) defines target population as all items or subjects in any field of inquiry .Study
population is the entire groups of individuals, firms events, or things of interest that the
1
researcher’s program seeks to examine. The study targeted children living in the streets of
6
Mutare in Zimbabwe. The age targeted ranges from 7-16 years because it is the average age of
children living in the streets in Mutare CBD.

3.6 Sampling
1
Sithole (2003) described sample as part of the population under study. The researcher used non-
probability sampling technique in selection of participants. Most participants found it interesting
2
in participating in the research because they felt this as their way of bringing out their challenges.
Non probability sampling was used because it is associated with case study and qualitative
design.

9 9
There are different types of non-probability sampling technique and the researcher used snowball
sampling technique. Snowball sampling technique is a non-random sampling method that uses a
few cases to help encourage other cases to take part in the study as this enables the study size to
9
increase. According to Brewton and Millward (2001) snowball is the most applicable in small
populations that are difficult to access due to their closed nature such as secret societies.
Snowball sampling technique helped the researcher to carry out the study through using two
steps that is identification of potential subjects and asking the selected potential subjects to
recruit other people. Hence, snowball sampling technique allow the researcher to reach
population that are difficult to samples.

3.7Data Collection Methods

3.7.1 Interviews
Interview is a tool or instrument that is used to collect data and it provides the researcher with
descriptions and narrations. Interviews are highly used method of collecting data in qualitative
5
social research (Holstein and Gulbrium, 2004). Interviews were conducted with children living in
the streets so as to have an understanding on how the street environment affect them. The
6
researcher managed to interview 15 children who were living in the streets of Mutare CBD.
Selection of these children was done through the use of non-probability sampling technique. The
researcher managed to gather research questions that will enable her to get full information.
Research questions were open minded and easier and this enabled children living in the streets to
freely narrate their stories in the process.

Interviews have possibilities of collecting detailed information about the required questions.
Burns and Grove (1998) notes that the disadvantages of interviews is that there is need of much
29
more time, the sample size is usually limited because of cost and time and there is lack of
trust .The researcher managed to overcome challenges faced during interviews. Trust was built
with the help of a social worker from Simukai Child Protection Program who introduced the
researcher to some of children living in the streets.

3.7.2 Questionnaires
Questionnaires is a list of questions that are used for interviews to get information on a specific
topic. There are two types of questionnaires namely closed and open questions. Closed questions
provide attitudes and intentions. Advantages of open questions is that it allows participants to
provide responses that are unique and explain meanings and motivations .Questionnaires were
given to children living in the streets. The research involved participants who were illiterate .
Questions from the questionnaire were explained further, using other words to describe,
repeating the question and giving the participant time to think .The researcher managed to deliver
15 questionnaires. .

3.7.3 Observations

Observations are used in research because they explore actions of individuals in public spaces
24
(Keller,2007) .This methods is used for recording basic data about characteristics, location and
activities of groups or individuals. The strengths of observations is that it is the simplest method
of data collection, it is used for observing a phenomenon to know habits, problems, likes and
dislikes and it observes the nature of interaction among participants. The researcher managed to
count the number of participants using observations. DeWalt (2002) states the weakness of
observation as anyone may have access to different information based on the access that they
have to various groups. The researcher managed to deal with this observations weaknesses
through dealing with acceptance on whether the participants trust or feel comfortable around the
observer. DeWalt (2002) states another weakness of observation as it may produce bias
information. The researcher managed to overcome the weaknesses of bias information and was
32
gender sensitive. There are two types of observations namely participant observation and non-
participant observation. The researcher used non-participant whereby she had to distant herself
from being a participant in the interview.

Data Collection Tools

10
3.8 Data analysis and presentation
17
Data collected will be presented and analysed. Data collected will be organised and recorded to
enable the reader to interpret the information correctly. Data collected is going to be analysed
10
and is to be carried out using coding. According to Gibbs (2000) coding is a way of indexing or
categorising the text in order to establish a framework of thematic ideas about it. Coding is a
23
qualitative inquiry and is often a word or short phrase that symbolically assigns a summative.
The researcher followed coding steps to analyse data. First step is to choose a type of coding
deductive or inductive. Secondly, read through your data to get a sense of what it looks like.
Third step, go through data line by line to cod as much as possible .Fourth step, categorise the
 codes and figure out how they fit into coding framework. Lastly, the researcher identified which
theme come up the most.

The researcher will summarise responses from questionnaires, interviews, and observations to
1
come up with the challenges being faced by children living in the streets. Data analysis is
18
important in finding the answers to research questions. The process of data analysis involved a
systematic search for patterns to provide an illuminating insight and description of the
1
phenomenon of challenges being faced by children living in the streets in Mutare CBD.

3.9 Ethical considerations

The research worker employed/followed the subsequent ethical considerations:

3.9.1 Informed consent

27 27
Informed consent is a very important ethical consideration once conducting a research. Informed
2
consent is an important ethical consideration when carrying out a research. The traditional
approach to childhood regards children as incomplete, unfinished and incompetent which created
ethical dilemma during the research as consent will be required (Punch, 2002). No participant
1
ought to be coerced to take part in the research. The researcher informed the participants on the
consent of the research .According to Legal Age of Minority Act (1982) any Zimbabwean under
2
the age of 18 is a minor. On this account informed consent was given to children living in the
streets.

3.9.2 Confidentiality

Confidentiality and privacy is another ethical considered. Beazley (2003), reputed that children
living in the streets are deviant. Van Blerk (2013) went on to argue that children of the street are
seen as a threat once they are seen close to shops. Confidentiality and privacy is an important
2
aspect among children living in the streets because it avoids stigmatisation .Participants were
given a chance to choose a place they were comfortable for the discussion.

3.9.3 Anonymity
Anonymity is an idealised view that participants information can never be traceable from the
data presented. Scott (2005), defines anonymity as a continuum along which the researcher
balance the two competing priorities that is maximising protection of participants and
maintaining the value and integrity of the data. Van den Hoonard (2003) notes that in qualitative
research there is high guarantee that anonymity is achieved. All information is kept private under
lock and key on what the participant have said. To ensure anonymity the researcher used
research codes on data documents (like filled-out questionnaires) rather of recording participants'
names, and preserve a separate document that connects the study code to their names locked in a
separate location and with access restrictions

3.10. Feasibility

The researcher sought out for consent from the University department of Social Work. The
research was possible since the researcher comes from Mutare that was quite straight forward
and useful to induce permission from the gate keepers of the community.

3.11. Study Limitations

There are number of factors that hinder the researcher from springing up with elaborated
information. The study is conducted at one place in Mutare CBD only, therefore, information
collected regarding children living within the streets may be biased . The children of the streets
are less doubtless to be seen in city and as a result the researcher collected information for one
month in areas where the children move around such as Meikles Park, Chicken Inn and
Mudzviti bus terminus. The researcher used qualitative research to assemble information on the
1
challenges featured by children living in Mutare Urban. The children living in the streets face
challenges in understanding research questions. The children lack corporation and also fail to
open up their life experiences to a stranger. The researcher focused on children living in the
streets in Mutare.

3.12 Conclusion
10
The chapter has managed to give an overview of the research methodology, design, and approach
used in this study. The chapter has also outlined the ethical considerations, data presentation and
analysis, reliability and validity issues, data collection procedures, population sample and sample
techniques, target population and research design. Data collection techniques used were
questionnaire, observations and interviews.
21
CHAPTER 4

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.1 Introduction
4
This chapter explores findings that the researcher collected in the field on the challenges being
faced by street children in Mutare Urban in Zimbabwe. The researcher managed to collect data
with the use of interviews, questionnaires and observations. This chapter answers questions such
1
as what is the reason behind children who live and work in the streets , what are the challenges
being faced by street children ? And what help do these children need. The researcher is going to
make use of pie charts, tables, graphs and statistics.

4.2.Research findings

4
4.2.1 Factors that force children to live in the streets
4
The researcher made use of interviews, observations and questionnaires as sources to get reasons
that push children into the streets. Children of the streets that participated in this interview had
4
different reasons that drove them into the streets. The most common reasons were poverty, peer
influence, lack of parental guide, abuse and social problems. The major reason that was among
all respondents’ was the increase of social problems such as loss of parents with regard to Covid-
19. The rates of factors that force children to live in the streets were loss of parents 15%, poverty
50%, abuse 25% and peer influence 10%. Ward and Segar (2010) noted that girls are reported to
face abuse from step fathers whilst boys from step-mothers.

4.3 Demographic data

5
4.3.1 Demographic characteristics of children living in the streets in Mutare CBD.
5
Demographic characteristics of children living in the streets in Mutare shows that male
participants out number female participants. The study found out that male participant were 11
(73.3%) and female participants were 4 (26.7%).From the, questionnaire and observations
conducted the researcher concluded that girls are less found in the streets as compared to boys.
Girls were hardly recognised because girls disguise themselves as boys and some of them would
be working in brothels and as a result the researcher was not permitted to enter the premises for
security and confidentiality reasons to protect the girls of the streets. The age range of
participants was between 7-16 years.
 6 16
Children living in the streets in Mutare CBD are categorised into two groups namely children of
the street and children on the street. Children of the street are those children that live in the
6
streets and have no connections with their families. Children on the street are children who work
3
in the street during the day and return home at night. The researcher recorded 9 children of the
street and 6 children on the street.

11
4.4. Challenges faced by children living in the streets

4.4.1 Substance abuse

3
High rate of substance abuse was noticed by the researcher as one of the challenges being faced
by children living in the streets in Mutare CBD. The researcher could not manage to talk to some
children because they were under the influence of drugs. They take cheap and available alcohol
such as broncleer and marijuana .There is the introduction of a new dangerous drug known as
meth and street children call it “Guka”. During an interview with the children they had to give
reasons for taking such drugs and these are, they want to fit into the street environment, to
overcome their sorrows and problems and to fight hunger and cold. According to Made (2013)
noted that children are the most vulnerable to drug abuse because of peer pressure and this
results in high increase of drug addiction. During personal interviews with the children of the
streets in Mutare some of them opened up about their drug intake behaviour and there were two
drugs which were common that is meth known as crystal meth and ‘mbanje’. The researcher
observed that these children they spend most of their time begging, vending and carwash for
livelihood and during the night they visit beerhalls such as Moto moto with the money earned
during the day. During an interview, one of the children living in the streets said: “I cannot spend
a day without taking drugs because drugs help me get rid of pain and sorrows .Drugs help me to
do my carwash job in time”.
During an interview, with one of the child living in the streets in Mutare CBD, he explained that
they get alcohol and drugs from older street boys who call themselves street fathers.
4.4.2.Abuse
6 6
Children living in the streets face different types of abuses such as sexual abuse, physical abuse
and, verbal abuse. These children also mentioned that girls engage in prostitution during the
night in order to get money and they are prone to sexual abuse, rape, prostitution and early
exposure to both heterosexual and homosexual behaviours (Amuyunzu et al 2005). During an
interview, girls living in the streets explained that they are being abused sexually by other
children and street fathers. They sleep in groups and have a tendency of abusing girls who are
among the gang. Girls who face sexual abuse gave an account of how boys abuse them so as to
satisfy themselves. , During an interview, one of the child living in the streets said:

“During the day no one can hurt me because boys protect me. Boys care for me whenever they
find food we share. During the night i give them sex. Sometimes they will force and harass me
that i should pay them back”.

The major reproductive challenge among children living in the streets in Mutare City Centre is
that the majority of the children are sexually active and at the same time they are engaging in
unprotected sex amongst themselves, this makes them vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases,
unwanted pregnancies and the deadly HIV/AIDs pandemic.

These children are abused by shop owners, workers, guards and police officers. In Mutare,
during the night they sleep on front of shops such as Chicken inn, Texas chicken and Nandos.
During an interview children living in the streets mentioned that shop owners, guards and
workers are cruel and rude. A 14 year old boy living in the streets said that “The so called shop
guards are the worst people who mistreat us during the day and at night. They do not even care
that we are struggling to earn a living .We sleep on shop entrance and the guards embarrass us
with button sticks.

During an interview the researcher noticed that these children would run whenever they notice
police officers.
4.4.3. Unemployment
Children living in the streets engage in different types of work in order to get money, they move
around selling home made products like scones, sweets, fruits and burgers. They end up
engaging into prostitution in order to get money .Young girls engage into sexual activities at an
early age of ten years. There is high risk of contracting HIV because they are less educated on
the importance of protection during sexual intercourse. One nine year old girl participant said
that

“l do not know what condom looks like because no one has never told me about it .Yes we are
doing sexual activities and i think young children cannot contract HIV .Through sexual activities
i am getting enough money for food and clothes .”

5
Car wash as a survival tactic, the children living in the streets they are seen around Mutare Spar
car park and
3
Pick n’ Pay car park .They charge $2 per car and at the end of the day. One of the child living in
the streets said that:

l have decided to do car wash because it is paying me better. By the end of the day i would earn
$10 .

1
Begging for money, food, and even clothing is the most visible tactic employed by children
living in the streets to survive. Children can be found in large numbers around shops such as
Mutare Spar, OK, and Pick n Pay, which provide fertile ground for begging due to the high
population density in the area. This is also where many Mutare locals gather to shop. During
interviews older street boys claimed that begging was no longer profitable because of severe
2
economic conditions. These children are unable to do anything, they rely on begging for money
to buy food and drugs. They come from families who are experiencing extreme poverty, to the
point where begging is their only option for survival. A 7 year old girl said that “Begging is my
daily living and even if i get a dollar per day it is worth for me to buy myself food during the
night.
Gambling is also another pattern of earning money practised by these children in Mutare CBD.
During the day, the children in the city centre would congregate in a circle and begin to wager
the small sums of money they had earned from begging. Gambling has become a popular
economic activity among children of the streets, as it allows them to risk their money in the
hopes of making more. Gambling addiction is one of the major issues that the researcher
discovered while conducting her research.

4.4.4. Health related challenges

Street children experience bad sanitation due to exposure to unhealthy foods, sleeping on open
spaces and lack of finances to access medications. Street children eat dangerous food from bins
6
which lead to diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea. During the night children living and
working in the streets of Mutare Urban sleep on open spaces such as in parks, under bridges and
old buildings .All these places are prone to mosquitoes which cause malaria. The public treat
these children unfairly when they visit clinics or hospitals for treatment because they cannot
provide hospital fee and they are seen as drug abusers. Street children are seen as violent children
this also results in them being treated badly at hospitals. During an interview a 15 year old boy
said that

“l get sick whener l am exposed to cold, if l visit the clinic the Health workers maltreat us calling
different names saying that l ran away from home to take drugs and live in the streets”

4.4.5 Policies and legislations which have been put in place by Government and NGOs in
14
an attempt to address the problem of children living in the streets.
Zimbabwe's government has put in place policies and regulations to help disadvantaged children
and orphans. Children who are designated include those who live on the streets .The government
3
of Zimbabwe have put in place policies such as Children’s Protection and Adoption Act (1972),
3
Chapter 33 which guards the interest of each and every child under the age of 16 years in
 12
Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe also established a National Action Plan for Orphans
and Vulnerable Children (NAP for OVCs).
7
Simukai Child Protection program is a registered voluntary organisation (PVO 27/12) which was
established in February 2000 as a result of partnership between Family Aids Trust (FACTMutare)
and Scripture Union. Simukai was established as a community response to the plight of abused,
12
neglected and abandoned children who are living on the streets and those in institutions. It has
6
managed to help some street children to become full potential and productive and responsible
members of the society. Simukai offers physical, psychological and spiritual rehabilitation in
6
Mutare. During interviews children living and working in the streets in Mutare explained how
SCPP is helping them street .They receive food during week days and clothes.
1
During the interview a 16 year old girl said that:

“Simukai Child Protection helps us a lot by providing a place where we can go to eat our
breakfast and lunch and get everything we need such as clothes”.

9
4.6.Conclusion
In this chapter, the researcher has managed to present the results obtained from fieldwork paying
3
attention to research objectives. Data gathered have shown challenges being faced by children
living in the streets of Mutare .These challenges are unemployment, health challenges, substance
abuse and sexual abuse.
 13
CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction
This chapter summarises the findings on the challenges faced by children living in the streets of
11
Mutare CBD. The chapter is presented using findings from the interviews, observation and
2
questionnaires. The findings that are discussed in this section were presented in the previous
chapter and addresses the objective of the study and answering research questions .Therefore the
conclusion of the findings can be drawn from this study.

5.2 Summary
2
The objectives of the study were to identify the reasons that push children to live in the streets.
Findings from the research shows that in Mutare CBD, poverty is the key driver as well as peer
influence, lack of parental guide, abuse and social problems aroused and stimulated by the
3 19
Covid-19 pandemic led to the increment of children living in the streets. The second objective of
the study was to examine the life experiences of children living in the streets. Children of the
streets in Mutare CBD are involved in begging, carwash and prostitution as a way of earning a
living. Street environment have resulted in challenges such as health challenges, drug abuse,
unemployment, physical and verbal abuse. Lastly, the role of government and non-governmental
6
organisations in improving conditions of children living in the streets. From the findings the
Zimbabwe's government has put in place policies and regulations to help vulnerable children
4 12
through the adoption of Children’s protection and Adoption Act (1972) and National Action Plan
for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NAP for OVCs). Children living in the streets in Mutare
1
CBD have received help inform of clothes and food form organisations such as Simukai Child
Protection.
The average ages of children living in Mutare CBD ranges between 7-14years.This is because
these are the ages mostly affected by peer influence. Whereas the environment in Mutare CBD
surrounded by beerhalls, gangs, lack of guardian security. There are no legal protection of rights
on street children .Lack of security amongst children of streets resulted in violence, abuse from
5
older boys, drug abuse. Therefore, children living in the streets they are more likely to engage in
3
drug abuse, physical abuse or sexually exploitated at a tender age and verbal abuse. Findings
1
shows that children living in the streets of Mutare CBD also engage in sexual activities at an
early age of 10 .Girls who work and live in the streets were being abused by street boys’ .They
experience physical and verbal abuse from shop owners, guards, workers.

Furthermore, from the findings, children living in Mutare CBD face social challenges such as
1
lack of health facilities because of lack of finances, unemployment due to lack of education and
poor sanitation. Henceforth, children living in the streets are exposed to various diseases because
of unhealthy foods and improper spaces to sleep, for example, during the night, children living in
the streets of Mutare Urban sleep on open spaces such as in parks, under bridges and old
buildings.

5.3 Recommendations

5.3.1 Recommendations for action

 The government and NGOs must work together to re unite the family unit so that parents
can safeguard and provide for their children's fundamental needs, preventing them from
turning to the streets.

 Organisations and the Government of Zimbabwe should provide education and shelter to
curb gender-based violence through protection of girl child who live in the streets...
2
Female street children must receive education to have power and abilities to negotiate for
safe, agreed sexual activity. One option is to give female and weaker male street children
life skills training so that they can establish and protect their rights.
 2
 Stakeholders should provide health centres to care for sick street children, disseminate
information on the transmission, treatment, and prevention of diseases (particularly
venereal), and provide free counselling and testing as well as antiretroviral medications to
2
the youngsters. To reach out to the street children, these centres should be childfriendly
street clinics that can be mobile or situated in drop-in centres. Thus, children should have
access to safe sex information and technologies such as condoms.
 The government of Zimbabwe should increase funding on organisations such as Simukai
Child Protection Program so that they can be capacitated to come up with measures to
14
reduce the plight of children living and working in the streets.
4
 The government and civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations need
4
to strengthen the family unit so that they can protect and provide for the basic needs of
their children, that way they will not choose to go to the streets
 The Government and Non-governmental organisations in Mutare must make vocational
5
training programmes accessible to children living in the streets so that they can develop
some technical skills. Vocational training programmes such as those in carpentry can
give them a glimpse of hope towards a better life and break the negative cycle of
stigmatization.
 Stakeholders should ensure household economics. Strengthening, households, receiving a
reunified child must be economically strengthened through cash transfers, so that they
can be able to provide for the reunified child and Child Protection Communities must
monitor any forms of abuse in the receiving family. This is done so that the child would
not go back again into the streets. Family assessments and verification must be conducted
before a child is reunified and children of the streets must only be reunified with a family
that caters for the best interests of that child.

5.3.2 Recommendations for further study

11
 Further researchers should look at the cultural and social challenges faced by children
living in the streets.
 4
 Further studies would be judicious to capture at what age do street children move into the
streets and how long these children have spent in the streets.
 Study the relationship between parent and peer socialisation to provide an impact insights
4
on the reasons that drove children into the streets.

5.4 Conclusion
1
The recent years have seen a rise in children living in the streets of Mutare. The continuation of
poverty, the erosion of family relationships, and the recent socio-economic crises in Zimbabwe
2
have all contributed to the concept of children of the streets .This study managed to highlight
4
challenges being faced by street children in Mutare CBD. The challenges are lack of employment,
health challenges, substance abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse. The research findings
31 11
managed to collect answers from the research questions of the study on the challenges faced by
children living in the streets of Mutare CBD.
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