Rwanda – Children in Street Situations

In 2022, we funded a pre-study with SOS Rwanda on the effectiveness of interventions for children in street situations. They found that as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic strain faced by the country with the recent high inflation, the number of children in street situations has increased, with many more children seen roaming the streets of Kigali and other major towns around the country. Having now assessed the target group and the best interventions, SOS Rwanda will begin a programme to support children currently in street situations alongside preventative interventions for families at risk.

This programme aims to reduce the prevalence of children in street situations in Rwanda over a period of 5 years through the rehabilitation and reintegration of children back to their families and communities. The programme will also prevent children from falling back into street situations after they have received support from SOS, as well as supporting children at risk of losing parental care. In addition, SOS Rwanda is collaborating with government agencies and other community-based organisations to improve the national systems and community structures for children in street situations, increasing long-term sustainability of the project.

This programme will begin by establishing a joint identification and targeting committee, which will then map hotspots, implement initial rescue approaches, and coordinate outreach services. Children who are unable to be reintegrated into their biological families will be cared for by SOS. Another element of this programme involves working with families where the children are at risk of leaving to live on the street. The primary cause of children leaving their families is poverty. Through SOS’s family strengthening programme, they can target this root cause. The final part of the programme involves building effective systems to work with children in the streets and educating key stakeholders on the lessons learned and best practices.

Overall Goals

• Children from street situations are rehabilitated and reintegrated in the families and communities.
• Families and communities cater for the rights of children who are in/at risk of being in street situations.
• National systems and community structures provide sustainable childcare solutions to children who are in/at risk of being in street situations.
• SOS Rwanda and partners advocate for a safer and more supportive policy environment for children in street situations.

Photo: Anne Kidmose