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

where we do whatever is right to us. We need clean place who will clean for us?
We need clean food but if plates are not clean how do eat clean food? Just that
some of us are not okay to wash and clean. But must do that otherwise will
become dirty as in the streets. Then what will be the different? (translated).
Participants further said that shelters should not allow girl/boy friends visit.
If they come where will others sleep? We have dormitories here and beds
together, how will some sleep with girtlboyfriends on top of my bed? We think
that the best thing shelters can do is to allow those who want to see their
girl/boyfriends time and day every week to go as long as they come back if they
want, but if they do not want to come back then others can take their place
(translated).
Participants reached some consensus on the issues of absconders and bullying. They
argued that absconders make life in the shelters a laughing matter. One participant
summarised their opinions and said:
When one absconds and goes to live and/or work again on the streets other
comrades want to know how we live here. One cannot refuse to talk and when
they here the laugh at us. Then absconders come with money, some drugs, and
are high. They make everyone jealous, and every body want to go into the street
to make some money and meet old friends, but when they absconds they miss
too much learning and other activities. We feel sorry when they come back and
are sick (translated).
On the issue of bullying, participants agreed that it was bad and caused friction and
fights among them. One participant summarized their feelings and said:
BUllying happens every time among us, the older participants bUlly the young
and also the younger ones call names to the older ones. Sometimes individuals
fight and hurt one another. Then staff come and before they resolve that one
another child is bUllying another one. We do it even at streets and sometimes it
is fun to see how the big ones respond to the young ones. It is bad when it ends
in a fight and somebody is injured (translated).
Participants argued linking the issue of bullying to the issues of bed wetting, and
homosexuality behaviour. They said in the words of two participants:
When other girls know that one is seeing that one they whisper and talk behind
them. They sit away from the two, don't play with them and make fun. It is bad
when one is not liked by others (translated).
83