WCSCF Public Awareness Material

Direct support, not matter how well meaning, keeps children on the street:  Giving money or support of any kind directly to children on the street might seem harmless, or helpful, to members of the public, tourists, businesses, etc. The truth is that it is keeping them out of school, on the street and in the hands of those exploiting them.  Unfortunately once a child settles onto the street, allows the street to become their survival paradigm, then they become locked into street life and resistant to change.

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• The money they get from begging:  No programme, organisation, underprivileged home or school can compete for the child's attention when they can earn over R1000 a day in central Cape Town or even more than R30 a day in our smaller provincial towns.  This money is not used for food or schooling but goes directly on substance abuse, entertainment or is handed over to older youth to do the same.  

• Food from restaurants, etc.   Many restaurants and small businesses feel sorry for the children, so give them food and even small jobs for money.  This helps sustain the children on the street, keep them out of care and out of school.

• Public support:   Many well meaning members of the public give the children shoes, clothes, etc.  Most of this is sold or traded and is used not only to sustain them on the street, pay for drugs, but also encourages them to remain on the street.

• Misguided Programmes:   There are cases of people starting programmes for street or vulnerable children and offer them food, entertainment, clothes, etc during school hours. This attracts children away from their communities and schools and onto the street. Even some large businesses offer food vouchers as a better way of helping street children by giving them food instead of money.  These are easily traded for cash and drugs.

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                                  Members of the Public want to help, but often don't know how to give responsibly.  

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These are our latest pamphlets to increase RESPONSIBLE GIVING by the Public.  

Help us adapt our pamphlet for your area: