Mkombozi Centre for Street Children

Hannah Collings, Mkombozi social worker, explains the importance of this campaign to her and to Mkombozi's youth...

What thoughts come to mind when I mention the word "RAT"? Do you think of rodents, disease, dirty and cunning scavengers, or disgusting pests? For most people, I think rats do conjure negative feelings. Sadly, there are often parallels between those feelings and feelings toward children living on the street. Many people regard street children in the same category as rats - social rodents who carry / cause problems, scavengers and thieves who are dirty and can spread disease. But so many people misjudge and do not see what I see...

I see street children as human beings, full of personal experience, feelings, fears, dreams, hopes and aspirations, just trying to make sense of his world and fighting each day to make it through until the next with the material and cognitive resources at hand. But, doesn't that sound familiar? Aren't you just the same? Perhaps the only real difference between us and Tanzanian's street children is that we come from privileged and supportive environments where we are open to choice and help.

I realise that problems of abuse, neglect, poverty, substance misuse, and relationship dysfunction exist and impact children around the world. Importantly, however, in Tanzania, there are no national safety nets or efficient social support agencies which prevent and protect children from such damaging experiences. The voices raised here at Mkombozi to protect children from such harm are whispers in comparison to the high profile campaigns, legislation and support services in the West. Many vulnerable children who have experienced hardship end up on the street precisely because of a lack of intervention and support. Then, once on the street, they are regarded as society's rubbish, life is harsh, and their problems are not alleviated but exaggerated. In effect, street children are discarded and discriminated as "street rats", thieves, drug addicts, beggars, fighters. (To learn more, read Mkombozi's Position Paper: Police round-ups of street children in Arusha are unjust.)

In the West, we are consumed with image, with packaging, with how things look from the outside. But, in order to give Tanzania's street children a real chance, to see the person and have an opportunity to understand their story, we have to be willing to look beyond the exterior, to see past the dirt, the rags they wear... And, in fact, the children and youth who live at the Mkombozi residential centre are not dissimilar to many of your own children - full of energy, laughter, mischief and in need of genuine consistent love, care and support. What strikes me as amazing and commendable is the journey that these children have made from their harsh histories, towards more responsible and loving attitudes. For some, the journey has been longer than some of us will make in a life time in terms of change, transition, adaptation and personal growth.

Mkombozi's youth are rockets of potential just needing to be launched. They're artists, craftsmen, sportsmen, comedians, cooks, musicians, dancers, mechanics, carpenters, electricians, gardeners, farmers, social workers, community developers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and politicians. For these gifts and talents to be unleashed, it takes hopeful people to put aside stereotypes, to see past the exterior and to invest in the children and young people with encouragement, love, time, opportunity, education and support in the hope that, as one young person puts it, they will "reach their stars"!

When I was assigned to work with Mkombozi's older youth, I felt frustrated that Mkombozi's school funding only stretched until the equivalent of 4th year secondary school. This "cuts down" potential before it even has a chance to flourish and be realised. In response to our deep desire to further the educational access of our young people, we are launching our Christmas 2006 campaign to raise a target of 50,000 pounds by September 2007 - funds with which to launch an endowment with interest securing the payment of fees for students in form IV, V, VI and college.

Please join our vision that the education of Mkombozi's youth is an investment in the future.

Donate to the campaign online and make a lasting contribution to our work!