Updates on CSDEA’s Save Street Children Project
Around 1.5 million children are homeless in the North East region of Nigeria. Another 3 million children are unable to go to school. They are without food, shelter and education. These children have become easy recruits as child soldiers and fighters for violent extremist and terrorist groups. This project feeds these children, give them a home to stay and send them to primary and secondary schools, including the establishment of a recreational and educational center.
This project is working to feed 10000 homeless children, send them to primary and secondary schools, and provide shelter for them. The project is also establishing a recreational and educational center to support the children with sporting activities as well as educational materials. The project also ensures that peace tenets are taught to these children.
The project is working to empower 10000 children to help them escape starvation and provide them with standard education and peace tenets that will prepare them for a sustainable future as good leaders and adults.
The stories of Deborah and Patricia who have started benefitting from this project represent the stories of the other identified recipients of this project. Deborah is 11 years old and was orphaned as a result of the activities of violent extremist groups. Her parents were killed when she was 40 weeks old and have been surviving under the worst conditions since then. She has been roaming the streets hawking for an old woman who seldom supports her and dozens of other orphans who agree to hawk her merchandise on the streets. With the support of this project, Deborah has started going to a primary school and has been temporarily taken in by a host family who receive a monthly stipend from the Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa (CSDEA) for her upkeep. Deborah is so excited at this new development in her life and she is so grateful to all those who have made this possible for her.
Patricia is 5 years old and her father got killed by violent extremists in the North East of Nigeria. Her mother is blind and she is the last of four siblings. Her three elder siblings hawk water on the street, while Patricia accompanies her blind mother to go begging. Patricia has started going to a primary school and has also been temporarily taken in by a host family who receive a monthly stipend from the CSDEA for her upkeep and wellbeing. Patricia is also very happy about this new phase of her life and she says thank you to all those who made this possible for her.