Exploring The Challenges and Coping Strategies of Street Children The case of Woliso town

Abstract

There are large numbers of children living or spending most of their days on the street. Several organizations have been trying to help these children, but their approaches are ineffective as a result, many children are increasingly joining the street life. Children living on the street face numerous problems. They are ignored, abused and their needs such as food, clothes, and good living environment are neglected by those who are supposed to look after them. Different studies conducted in different parts of Ethiopia confirmed that street children face numerous problems which include: psychological, health, social and economic problems. This study was conducted in Woliso town of Oromia Regional State. It was conducted using qualitative research method. The data of the study were collected from 27 participants who took part differently in In-depth interviews and FGD. Key informant interviews were also conducted to collect data from government officials who are knowledgeable on the situation of street children. Purposive sampling method was used for selecting participants of the study. The finding of the study indicated that participants joined street life because of the situations such as: family conflict, inducement, death of parents and search for opportunities. The participants of the study explained that they are encountering different problems in their street life. These include: social abuse, health problems, drug use, and sexual abuse, lack of access to food, clothes, and shelter. The study finding also indicated that street children use different coping strategies such as: flight, acceptance of abuse, engagement in remunerable labor activity, begging, scavenging and living in a group. The finding also indicated that lack of tangible projects in Woliso town aimed at street children impede the implementation of Ethiopian child policy. Therefore, this study can serve as baseline information to further conduct another intensive research on other challenges of the street children in Woliso town.