A Study of Shelters for Street Children from an Organizational ...

Participants felt more encouraged when children returned to the shelters after spending
a weekend with their families or relatives. They expressed further satisfaction when
children progressed well in formal learning at schools. Participants were dismayed and
disappointed when children absconded. They expressed frustration because
absconding complicated the process of reorientation and interfered with progress.
4.5 Views and Experiences of shelters Residents
Children living and/or working on the streets are the recipients of shelter services as
shelters residents. They are the core of and the reason for the shelters' existence.
Children from each shelter took part in focus group discussions and participated with
vigour and happiness. At times the discussions generated heated exchanges between
them particularly on certain points of view and perceptions about which the participants
disagreed.
4.5.1 Focus Group Discussions with Children
Four focus group discussions were held with children in each of the four shelters.
Participants started with brief background information of their lives before and after
coming on the streets. They told how difficult life was at home and as a result were
forced to run away from home into the streets. Most participants had similar
experiences and this study has below two stories to indicate the experiences of female
and male participants. Translation is word of word to ensure that the stories remain
those of the participants.
After my mother died, at that time I was nine years, my father abandoned me
and was left with granny (Magogo) and she is very old. Father drink the
'umcombothi' zulu home made beer or when has money 'Ugologo' (spirit) from
the bottle store. When drunk is fighting every one except Magogo. No food to
eat, no job, no money and fighting. I ran away from home to the city to look for
some work. The police pick me up lock me in the cell with big adults. I am raped
by two am breeding and get sick. Can't report the rape adults will kill. The court
send me to the shelter. It is a little safe here and have something to eat.
My mother died when I was very young. My father married another wife and she
did not like us at all me and my brother. She gave us no food and when father is
away she is fight particularly me as a girl. I ran away to live with my 'Malume'
(uncle) in the village. My uncle is abusing me sexually every night. I am young
and get pregnant. Then miscarriage and I am very sick. They take me to the
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