SOLUTIONS FOR STREET CHILDREN AND VAGRANCY
There is a need to seriously address the social problem of street children and vagrancy. For too long the world has turned a blind eye or superficial dealt with the poor, disadvantaged persons. The widening gap between the rich and poor remains one of society’s biggest challenges.
Despite humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, poverty persists on a disturbing scale in both developed and developing countries. There are temporary measures to alleviate poverty such as building more shelters and institutions, offering financial assistance to individuals and groups, soup kitchens, donating foodstuffs, increasing social workers and welfare payments. However, regardless of the efforts, it is unfortunate that poverty can only be controlled and not eradicated.
Some of the solutions for fighting conditions that are facing street children and vagrants.
1. The freedom of the underprivileged must be championed.
2. More co-operation between the Government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
3. Better allocation of human resources to serve and assist those in need.
4. Regular Government reports and updates on the level of poverty in each country.
5. Frequent media reports highlighting the plight of the poor.
6. More rational allocation and utilization of Government expenditure for social welfare programmes.
7. Efficient and monitored half-way houses, drop-in-centres and support systems.
8. More collaboration among the religious bodies, public and private sectors.
9. Public support of ventures and projects of organizations involved in assisting the poverty-stricken and homeless.
10. To reduce the misuse of funds, there is a need for international monitoring of the Government’s use of loans to implement policies and programmes.
11. Stop blaming the poor for their condition. Nobody wants to be cold, lonely, scorned, suffering, hungry and begging on a daily basis.
12. Do not blame society or capitalism. Instead, work to remove or reduce the inadequacies of the system that is creating the suffering.
Societies, individuals, groups, organizations and governments are invited to implement as much of the above recommendations as possible.
On August 23, 1996, I organized a conference "Solutions for the Problems of Street Children and Vagrancy in the Caribbean," at the University of the West Indies. Many of the recommendations arising from this discussion were deemed relevant to other countries.
For further information contact Jerome Teelucksingh, 522 Riverside Drive, Lange Park, Chaguanas, Trinidad, West Indies.