The government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, has discouraged the public from giving money or food to children on the streets.
The ministry has since launched a nationwide street outreach program meant to sensitize the public about the adverse effects that giving alms has on children living on the streets.
Beatrice Muyambango, the Director of Child Development at the ministry, has disclosed that the government believes giving alms to children on the streets is one of the major contributors to streetism.
Muyambango further encouraged the public and those wishing to provide support to vulnerable children to engage with childcare centers.
“If you have something to help these children with, channel it to these childcare facilities where they will have a home and where that money will help them in a manner that does not harm them. If you give money on the streets, that money sustains their stay there,” Muyambango said.
She added that vulnerable children in society must be helped and cared for in a dignified manner, as giving alms only encourages them to continue living on the streets.
“Amongst ourselves, we even cook food and take it to the streets, calling the kids to come and eat from the streets. But surely, we all wish that they are helped in a manner that does not undermine their inherent human dignity,” she added.
Mrs. Muyambango further clarified that the government is not discouraging the public from extending their help to the needy but rather advocating for a methodical approach as they offer their support to eliminate streetism.
“The government is not against anyone giving aid or help to anyone, be it a child or an adult, but for these little human beings, we see the counter effects of what we do, and those effects can be deadly,” she said.
Mrs. Muyambango was speaking this morning on Diamond TV after Minister of Community Development Doreen Mwamba declared the act of giving alms to children on the streets unlawful.
