Dear Editor,

The increasing number of street children on our nation’s streets speaks to the collective failure of the Jamaican state to care for and protect our children. Despite us having a number of laws that should address the protection of our children, successive governments have been unable or unwilling to seriously and effectively address the plight of our street children.

Is it that the Child Care and Protection Act is inadequate to address the plight of our street children? If so, then we need to get the proper legislation in place to tackle the issue.

The overwhelmingly majority of Jamaica’s street children are males. Our boys are most vulnerable to many forms of abuse and dangers from both adults as well as older children. It is sad to say, however, it appear that these children are the forgotten and marginalised in the society. We then must ask ourselves, what of Jamaica’s future if we continue to ignore them?

These street children have little or no access to government services. They are not being afforded a formal education. They have little or no access to health care. It’s debatable as to whether or not they are counted in the census. They are the voiceless and the seemingly invisible segment of the society that most of us wish did not exist.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) classifies street children in three groups.

The first category is known as children on the street. This group comprises children working on the street but maintaining some ties with their families. At the end of the workday they return home and reconnect with their local community.

Secondly, there are children of the street. Children in this category see the street as their home where they search for food, shelter and companionship.

The final category is that of abandoned children. Children in this category have no connection to their biological parents.

Regardless of which group a child falls, we all have a social responsibility to offer rescue. As the harsh economic conditions intensify we are likely to see a swell of street children as more parents find it more challenging to provide the basic needs for their children.

This is an ideal opportunity for the many churches in Jamaica to partner with the Government, as well as other stakeholders to arrive at a workable solution.

Despite our limited financial resources we need to redouble our efforts as a society and put meaningful measures in place to once and for all address this social problem which is adding to the security concerns of the society.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com

www.wayaine.blogspot.com