a. Categories of children on the streets
i. Part-time children on the streets.
- Comprise of 60% of children on the streets
- They spend most of their active hours on the streets and retire later in the evening to sleep in the slum communities.
- They are the bread-winners and responsible for their entire families.
- They either find work or beg in the streets.
ii. Full-time children on the streets.
- Comprise of 40% of children on the streets
- They work and live on the streets, and have no contact with their families
- They are engaged in sniffing drugs, sexual abuse and petty crimes.
- They are usually victims of mob-justice when caught in crime.
b. What they do on the streets
On the streets, children engage themselves in different activities such as:- Child labor ( odd jobs ranging from cleaning to carrying heavy loads), Theft, Begging, Sniffing glue/petroleum, Drug abuse, Sexual abuse and use of vulgar language.
c. Problems children face while on streets
Children on the streets suffer harassment, cold nights, various sicknesses, child abuse, child labour, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS, hunger, lack of sanitary facilities, mob justice and many times they are sent to prison for petty crimes because they do no have anyone to bail them out.
2. Rehabilitation
Children from the streets are enlisted in the rehabilitation program which runs for one year. Its curriculum is child-centered and aims at interesting the child in learning. The children are taught the following; Literacy lessons, Reproductive sexual health, Life skills, Math, Art, English, Science, Agriculture, games, Sports, Music, drama and HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and care. After the program the child can join either formal school or vocational training.
8. Peer education
Peer education is an important program in which CRO uses children to reach other children. This is because children understand each other and communicate to each other better. At every CRO center, there are Peer Clubs comprising 25 to 35 children who spearhead information sharing with other children. The Club members meet monthly to plan their activities. They carry out training and outreaches for other children and youth on the streets, in schools and in the community. The Clubs talk about Sexual Reproductive Health and rights, Behavior change, Life skills, Child Rights and Responsibilities HIV/AIDS, Child Participation, Child Savings, and, Discipline. The children also provide counseling services to each other and provide support to children who faced difficult situations. The Peer Clubs have ensured that children’s rights are observed.
10. Children’s Annual Camp
CRO Uganda often takes children for camps so that they can have some wonderful time away from the towns and participate in various games,life skills and discipleship lessons.Children learn about drug abuse,health issues,better language use,e.t.c.During the camping,children also mak e friends with other children at times from different schools which reduces their stigimitization.Camps also impact on children behaviour change such as stopping drugs and use of vulgar language as well as deciding to join either formal or informal education programs.
13. Informal Vocational Training.
Older street children who cannot attend formal school are encouraged to train in different skills of their choice.
Currently different children are training in skills such as carpentry, Mechanics, Catering, Cobbling, Barbering, and Tailoring. CRO pays for training fees and tools. Start up tools are provided at the end of every training.