- What We Do -
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At Streets of Hope it is our passion to see destitute children lifted from a life of poverty, abuse and abandonment and given a Hope and a Future that they deserve. We believe that supporting children whilst they are living on the street and giving them opportunities for reconciliation with family and access to education is the key to see this happen.
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With regular street outreach we are able to identify children who are living on the street. Once these vulnerable children have been identified we are then able to offer them our support and welcome them to ‘Hope House’, our centre which provides the children with a safe haven and a reliable place to turn for help.
- Hope House -
Our ‘Hope House’ day centre provides Musoma’s Street children with a safe and loving environment, which is able to support them both emotionally and physically. The House is currently open 4 days a week to give the children much needed respite from the everyday struggles of life on the street.
At Hope House the children are given the freedom to play, relax and simply enjoy being children and can take part in different activities as they wish – Football and the games console being particular favorites! They are also able to shower and clean their clothes whilst we cater for their physical needs through the provision of food, clothing and healthcare.
The time that the children spend at the House is important in order for us to mentor and build trust with them. This is key in allowing us to address the issues as to why a child has left home and to determine how best to facilitate a return to family if possible or if not then to look at alternative solutions.
- Family Reconciliation & Support -
There are many different reasons that a child may leave home. Factors such as poverty, family breakdown or death of a parent/caregiver are common. In some circumstances a child may be forced to leave or they may themselves choose to leave in search of a better life and greater opportunities.
At Streets of Hope, we believe that the best possible outcome for many street children is for them to return to family. Where possible, we therefore work alongside families to reunite the child and address the issues that contributed to the child leaving. Once these issues have been tackled we believe that, with the necessary counseling and support, it is possible for a child to return home.
The provision of ongoing support after the child has returned is crucial to ensure that the return is a permanent one. Importantly once a child is off of the street we are also then able to support them in going to school.
- Education -
For some children a lack of access to education can contribute to their decision to leave home. With many unable to read or write, the children that we work with are often desperate to go to school. We believe that education, whether in a school or vocational setting, is key for these children to have a successful future. Consequently at Streets of Hope we work towards ensuring that these children have access to a suitable and sustainable educational program where possible.
- Our Hope -
Above all our greatest hope is that the children who encounter our organisation would know what it is to be loved and cared for; to feel part of a family who will protect and cherish them. Many of the children that we help have no experience of a loving, reliable family or what a decent childhood should be like.
At Streets of Hope we want to help change this experience. If you would like be a part of this then please see how you can be involved here.