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Sudan Tribune

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South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets

April 7, 2011 (WAU) – Nearly fifty per cent of the street children in the major urban centres in the oil producing region of South Sudan appear to have been forced onto the streets due to the abuse of their rights, cruelty and a lack of parental care.

Street children in South Sudan (AP)
Street children in South Sudan (AP)
Monica Louis Madut, an advisor on gender affairs in the government of Western Bahr el Ghazal made the revelations on Thursday, during a public briefing with local government officials and other stakeholders dealing with street children in Wau.

She was briefing a public gathering attended by Wol Dhiel Thiep, commissioner of Jur River county and community leaders in Wau town, to share the findings of the survey she conducted in seven different parts of the state.

She said a survey conducted in Wau town, indicate that there are about 295 street children, of which 138 were males and 157 female.

The children in Wau are from different ethnicities and places in South Sudan but the majority come from the Greater Bahr el Ghazal and the State of Western Equatoria in Greater Equatoria.

“The abuse of children’s rights and a lack of parental care are among the major causes that push children onto the streets. Children are abused by parents, close relatives, guardians and at times the authorities,” she told participants at the meeting.

“I almost cried when I heard children narrating how they are surviving on the streets. Where they had lived and how they came to be living as street children in Wau, where the growing number of homeless children is pathetic,” explained the official in a public briefing held in Wau.

The official attributed the situation to the death of some parents during the war and household poverty as reasons that push children onto the streets. More than two decades of north-south Sudan civil war in which more than 2 million were killed has orphaned many children.

Poverty was found as another factor which contributed to the going of the children to the street due to economic hardships. It was also detected that some parents send their children to beg on the streets to make ends meet.

“According to the survey”, she said, “Some parents pretend that their own children are orphans in order to take advantage of the situation to solicit help,” she noted.

The Jur River county commissioner, Thiep also complained that most orphanages in the county lack adequate funds to provide for basic needs of the children. He called for support from the government.

“Street children are not a problem to be solved by non-governmental organisations alone. There is a need for support from the government to address this situation,” he said.

Other participants at the meeting also called for provision of shelters for the children, saying that most of them have limited access to education and health services since they do not have permanent homes.

The children also face sexual abuse by hoodlums, other children and homeless people, with whom they share the streets, the participants said.

“There are also many cases of street children being beaten and mistreated by the police,” alleged one participant.

Monica said in her closing remarks that the governor of the state, Brigadier General, Rizik Hassan Zachariah had promised to assist street children who are in schools by providing clothes, tuition fees, stationery and other basic needs.

(ST)

19 Comments

  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Very shame to all southerners,New nation with “Homeless””
    Where are the parents of the children? To me, i will not blame the government of south sudan,how come the parents allowed the kid to loiter and roam around like animals?
    I do understand that there are many homeless around the world,but not under 14 year old kid to become homeless.
    And to GOSS/ROSS,where is un relief fund and unicief?
    You carry very large stomachs in juba meanwhile our kids are suffering from different situations,mostly hunger and diseases. Stop buying luxerirs cars and mansions while the children are in need of food.
    We need the leader who can able to sealed this situation and bring our children home,and send them to school,those are our future seeds and leaders of tomorrow. we dont want to misuse the now,we will need them badly in the future time as well as for the next generation.

    Reply
  • nyantung
    nyantung

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    May God bless those innocent children.

    Reply
  • Hero
    Hero

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omoni Jr,

    Your response to this issue, show how naive you are? Why do you unknowingly rush in and foolishly judged them while you don’t have a clear picture of them being on the street? Let me tell you mate! Most of them are there because they are war Orphans,virtually all of them are they victims of the war; and they are not there because they like it or it’s because of the silly finding of your likes who naively concluded that the present waves of violence might be responsible for it.So, get it clearly that nature force them to be where they are, and we must all sympathizes with them and also ask our government in JUBA to do something about it, instead of talking rubbishes.

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omni jr,

    You know what strikes me the most in this report, is that there are more females street children than the males.

    I do not know how this happened. Part of being a man is to go explore the world and find opportunities as a male. I’m sure these males children will turn out to be responsible adults due to the tough street life they’ve endured, but being a girl in streets is more complicated problems than being a boy.

    These girls later on the future, may turn to be future prostitutes with more destitute children; and that’s for sure, everybody and government don’t want to see happen.

    So, I urge the governor and his administration to take swift actions regarding this social phenomena.

    Drastic measures should be taken immediately to remedy this situation quickly. Because the more the government wait, the more they grow with homeless mentality. Thanks.

    Harry,

    Reply
  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Heroin,aka “land grabber” as a hero,
    You idiot,read my comment again and again,and let your asshole read it too,so that you can understand fully like Harry.
    Since you are semi-human,i doubt it if you gonna get my comment well,
    Thanks,and God bless you.

    Reply
  • Hero
    Hero

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Harry,

    You really seem to cheers Mr Omoni jr here! I wonder why? And if you want to know why I question your takes? Then here is what he naively pose! Where are the parents of these children and why do they allows them to roam the street? Too annoying to me Mr Harry if not you, because they are obviously Orphans of our last War.And it’s quite disturbing to hear someone rhetorically failing to addressed it properly like Omoni. Anyway, not everyone knows or have feels the impact of war, but it’s of critical importance to address them rightly.Otherwise thank.

    Reply
  • Hero
    Hero

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omni Jr,

    I don’t blame you much, since you have been residing in Uganda,congo and maybe hardly Kenya and you just came back recently to enjoy the well-prepared food. Anyway enjoy and try to learns the history so you don’t messed them up again next time.

    Reply
  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Brother Hero,
    The query is,do you have written documents or evidents that shows,all those children are orphans of war? Neither of you nor me know exactly why the kids are become street boys or girls.I didnt event say anything bad to the kids.
    And I want you to stop prejudgment and insulting others as if you are only person educated in Sudan as a whole.

    Reply
  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Heroin,
    most of those children were born after C.P.A was signed,so what is your argument here now?
    same on you sir…

    Reply
  • Hero
    Hero

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Brother Omni Jr,

    You sound decent enough here, so thank! No doubt Sir, these kids are they orphans of war despite their genders; and there’s no point for anyone to pre-empt their being on the street.Back to your querry:I don’t actually have the document detailing who they are? But my commonsense tell me that they are precisely orphans of war and we’ve to accept that. Anyway, what I would like us and our government to do, is to find the solution to bring an end this phenonmenon, instead of blaming their parent whom we are not sure of their whereabout.Otherwise, I’m pretty sure that there will be a solution from the government.

    Reply
  • Hero
    Hero

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omni Jr,

    That’s what I hate Sir! Flip floping has no room here at all.Hard to teach a pig acts like human.Stop it, I got to go. bye

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omni jr & Hero,

    Thanks guys for your concern about our streets kids. You guys also don’t need to get at each other nerves. I don’t see any reasons for you guys to quarrel since you two have love and affections for those children.

    You two guys have two different approaches to life. I did not see anything that makes you changed offensive comments to each other.

    Frankly, I did not read anything wrong with Omni Jr comment. So, Brother, Hero forgive him if you feel he might offended you.

    Likewise, Omni Jr, stop calling Brother, Hero with females names such Heroine or “heroin according to you.” Guys, try to think about mutual understanding, for it can help us communicate better in this forum.

    Again, you guys agreed on the subject matter of the report which is taking care of those children by the government.

    So, please guys put this feud behind us and make up to spread love, unity, peace, harmony, and mutual understanding for betterment of ourselves and our communities, both here in this forum and down there in South Sudan. Thanks guys and I have much love for you.

    Harry,

    Reply
  • AUGUSTINO DENG
    AUGUSTINO DENG

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Lord Jesus Christ, please stretched your hand and power upon these beautiful children in Bhar-el-ghazal region and all others areas in Southern Sudan. I thought that Southern Sudan will not have street children any more like the way when some of us were really suffering in Tharpam,Bilpam, Dima, Panyido, Pakok and Jebel Raat as well. These children are the fruits or seeds of the Southern Sudan-in Arabic mean(Teraap).

    Because our Southern Sudan leaders are not care about these children, that is why these children looks useless like the people who do not have their parents. Who knows maybe their fathers were killed in war? Lord Jesus Christ, I prayed vigorously for your name and the name of your Heavenly father God in order to lift up these children with your power such that they can resist such atrocities such as hunger(starvation), sickness, and other ailments. For sure, Southern Sudan is a cursed region. In fact, my eyes are on Salva Kiir who just took the office and forget about the future of his people. These children are the backbone of the Southern Sudan.

    By Augustino Deng. Jech la mer from Tharpam

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Omni Jr & Hero,

    Thanks guys for showing concern over the problems of children being street kids in their own country. That would be the indicative of love and affection towards our street children.

    However, I failed to see why you two are feuding when both of you agreed on the subject matter of the report which is government should solve the problem and take those children out of streets and put in the right places.

    I notice your love for the those kids is genuine and sincere. Therefore, why don’t you two put this quarrel behind and make up to preach love, unity, mutual understanding, and harmony in this forum.

    Frankly, I did not see anything wrong with Brother, Omni Jr original comment. So Brother, Hero if you feel that he might offended you, then forgive him for that and move forward with new objectives. I’m sure you can do that.

    Likewise, Brother Omni Jr, stop calling Brother, Hero with females names such as Heroine or ” Heroin according to you.” Yet, guys try mutual understanding, for it will make communicate and understand ourselves better.

    Again, you guys have nothing to quarrel about because you have two different approaches that led to ultimate resolution of these children problems. So, make up and spread peace, unity, harmony, and mutual understanding both here in this forum, and down there in South Sudan.

    We have to create a peaceful environment in which love and understanding will prevail over tribalism and ignorance; and I have no doubt that you two can do that.

    You guys are the REAL DEAL, without you there will be no South Sudan. Therefore, Keep up the good work and spread love to humanity. Thanks guys, and remember that I have much love for you.

    Harry,

    Reply
  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Harry
    I did not even say anything to Hero’s tribe or anything bad to the kids who are a affected by this situations. Furthermore,some of the kids come from western Equatoria as the reporter said.
    People like Hero can drive me into tribal-line,in which i dont want it but i can take if it is matter of life and death.No shortcut for life.

    Reply
  • harry
    harry

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Dear Omni Jr,

    I understand and I know you didn’t do something wrong. Now, what will you get by escalating this misunderstanding with Brother, Hero? Nothing right! That why I want you to do the right thing here. Put it behind and move forward. I know you bigger than that. So take it easy and forgive your Brother, Hero. Thanks for responding.

    Harry,

    Reply
  • Lat Dak Nyaroah
    Lat Dak Nyaroah

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Dear Readers,
    The issue of street children in all our ten states is a great challenge to all of us. If we take full responsibility to provide necessary basic needs to our children, we may reduced the number of street children. Of course, some of the children on the street have no parents while quite number of them have parents who might at the same time have economical challenges. In Malakal town (2008) and Kuajok (2006), I participated in survey launched by State Ministry of Social Developments and surprisingly, some children were daughters and sons of government officials known in each state. Therefore, the root causes of why children go to street are not limited than Domestic violence, Child abuse (over working children), having many wives and children with low income to sustain them, Death of parents eg in wars or natural deaths. However, GoSS legislative passed a law called Child Act in 2009 October to address such issues but no one seems to care in disseminating it to the grass root level. I am sure if this law is enforced, we may have a limited number of children in the street but remember it is hard and take many years to eradicate street life globally.

    Reply
  • Born to Achieve
    Born to Achieve

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Its absurd that the goverment is utilizing the public funds to send their childerns to abroad & buying them luexry homes while some kids in South Sudan are homeless,street childerns,they are suppose to be enjoying the same benafits sinc their families has died in the war in one way or the other.

    The goverment should not undermine such potential kids,but rather consider their suffuring.

    Think positive.

    Reply
  • JAMES KUOI STEPHEN
    JAMES KUOI STEPHEN

    South Sudan: domestic violence drives children onto the streets
    Domestice violence,it has not accomodation in our places , they had power of distigusishing poverty.WE don’t allow saddness,because rain doesn’t rain, government of Southern Sudan will created some chances or jobs to feed hungry with in people. we are very new Country,others people will ran for refuge in land, (tried to have enough foods),they will seeks salvation of accomodation. Encourage parents to take care of their children. lead them created some farm for calivating as well as before. the land produce crops which you had plants, tiy to plants and waits then,you will be surprised when did strength has come back to prosperity. You see! happyness will started after you gain struggle. if you wait for wealth,you wouldn’t get it, make struggle and learn to be patient,then you will ripe your crops.Government who governed governors,don’t overlook this situation, you are most concern to promote much respossibilities to family who came in the South. You are doing great work, don’t expects any from oversea countries, relation should involved lead him to behave for sense of invovment on your country, our people shouldn’t hope UNHCR for food again.,I thank them, we had country,they will feed others who are suffering too.

    Reply
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