Unveiling the Resilience of Africa’s Street-Connected Children: A Powerful Documentary on the International Day of the African Child

Every year, on June 16th, we come together to honour the unwavering courage and resilience of millions of children in Africa. These remarkable young souls face unimaginable challenges and obstacles in their quest for a brighter future. The International Day of the African Child, initiated in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to commemorate the Soweto Uprising of 1976, stands as a testament to their indomitable spirit.

In 1976, during the Soweto Uprising, black students in South Africa bravely rallied against the injustices they faced in their education system. They demanded to be taught in their own language, but their peaceful demonstration was met with brutal violence. Tragically, hundreds of young lives were lost. Today, we remember their sacrifice and draw inspiration from their pursuit of equality.
This year, we embrace the theme “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children.” This powerful theme reflects upon the strides we have made and the hurdles that remain on our path to ensuring that every child in Africa can experience their rights and dignity. Among the critical issues demanding our urgent attention are the lives of street-connected children—the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our society.
The statistics provided by UNICEF are alarming: an estimated 30 million children find themselves living and working on the streets of Africa. These children are confronted daily with poverty, hunger, violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, and a lack of access to education, healthcare, and social protection. They exist on the fringes, often overlooked and forgotten, while their rights are trampled upon.

To shed light on their plight and advocate for their rights and needs, a coalition of civil society organizations and human rights activists organized an extraordinary event on April 16th, 2023. Under the banner of “Time with Children on the Street,” this event was part of the commemoration of the International Day for Street Children (IDSC), celebrated annually on April 12th.
We gathered in the heart of Accra, Ghana, at Kantamato-used clothes lane—a place where hundreds of street-connected children live and work. Together, we (Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF), Muslim Family Counselling Services (MFCS), Street Girls Aid (S.Aid), Chance for Children (CFC), Friends In Need, Urban Poor Child Organization (UPCO), Service Awareness Organization (SASO), and Street Social Workers Network (SSWN).) represented the Global Alliance for Street Work, a network of organizations affiliated with the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) in our capacities as various NGOs dedicated to promoting the rights, welfare and supporting street-connected children.
Our event aimed to enlighten both the public and the street-connected children themselves about the challenges they face and the opportunities and services available to them. We sought to create a platform for dialogue and networking among different stakeholders, fostering connections with those who work with or care deeply about street-connected children.

Throughout the event, our passionate organizers and speakers delivered inspiring messages, addressing the pressing issues faced by street-connected children in Ghana and around the world. We emphasized the pivotal role of education, health, and social protection in transforming the lives of these children, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and aspirations. Our commitment to these children extended beyond words—we shared information about our ongoing projects and activities and invited them to reach out to us for further assistance.

The event featured a vibrant placard show, carrying compelling advocacy messages that highlighted the rights and needs of street-connected children. We also conducted interviews with several street-connetced children, capturing their captivating stories and voices. These poignant moments have been woven into a compelling documentary, which we are thrilled to share with you today.
The event drew an impressive turnout, with over 200 street-connected children and young people from the local community participating actively. The street-connected children themselves were instrumental contributors, showcasing their intelligence through thought-provoking questions and insightful contributions throughout the day. We also ensured that they had a joyful experience, with interactive sessions filled with dance and games. The event concluded with refreshing refreshments and a heart-warming photoshoot, capturing the collective spirit of hope.

We are immensely proud to present this extraordinary documentary as a tribute to these brave and resilient children, who deserve our unwavering respect and support. It is our fervent hope that this powerful film will ignite a spark within the hearts of individuals worldwide, inspiring them to join us in our mission to transform the lives of street-connected children in Africa and beyond.
We invite you to watch our remarkable documentary, capturing the raw essence of these children’s lives, and join us in making a difference. Together, we can create a world where every child’s dreams are nurtured, and their rights are honoured.

Watch our inspiring documentary here:

Let’s unite for the future of Africa’s street-connected children.