An Evaluation of Street Kids Rehabilitation Programme: Case of Mthunzi Centre,Lusaka, Zambia
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Date
2011-07-19
Authors
Chibbantula, Casmir Monga
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Abstract
The problem of street kids is worldwide. The study has samples from South America, Europe, Asia and Africa in general. The study focuses on the Zambian situation. The situation is worrying. Children have been seen roaming the streets in singles or groups chasing each other and struggling for food. As a result many institutions have mushroomed in order to “help” these vulnerable children. The study was centered on Mthunzi which is run by a clergyman who resides outside the country. The focus was on evaluating the programme to ascertain its effectiveness. The study had four (4) main objectives and these were:-
1. To examine what type of activities were taking place at the centre.
2. To discover how the kids were responding to the rehabilitation programmes
3. To find out how the graduates were being integrated in the society.
4. To explore the achievements and challenges of the institution.
The study used interviews, a tape recorder and participant observations. This provided indepth information.
The main findings confirm the old saying that “no man is an island”. The study looked at the various key players at the centre, the neighboring communities and the role of institutions centred on Mthunzi centre. While the centre was doing a commendable job in looking after the kids by bringing sanity, it was evident that the programme required constant review so that the performance and direction were kept in the focus. The findings show that there was sanity among them in that they were able to do what other children of their age in society were doing. These included living in a boarding environment, going to school and participation in a number of co-curriculum activities. However, it was noted that the kids did not do well. For that reason, they did not find work to sustain them. They did not have skills in Grade 12 to sustain them. These apparent set backs may lead some of them to go back into the streets during their as adulthood. The report ends with recommendations to various stakeholders. These include:-
1.The need to provide qualified staff at the centre and qualified counselors in schools in order for the kids to cope with life.
2. The need for government to provide funds in order to cushion the burden to the centre when donors withdraw.
3. Manual work programs should be compulsory as an integrated part of rehabilitation and integration.
4.The centre should critically look at the entry issue and come up with a small enrollment that is manageable with the existing equipment.
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Keywords
Street kids --Rehabilitation