Street children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They are typically at high risk from violence, sexual abuse, substance abuse and health problems. In Cairo, particularly, this is a problem that has grown out of proportion. Exact numbers are difficult to gauge due to the children’s mobility, but as long ago as 2001, it was estimated that between 600,000 and one million kids, with an average age of 13, were living on the streets in the urban areas of Egypt, and that number has continued to rise.
The essence of the problem stems from poverty, explains Guido DeWilde, vice president of the Middle East branch of Starwood hotels and one of the guiding forces behind Road To Awareness, a project working with Unicef to address the needs of Egyptian street children. Poor levels of education, domestic violence and the absence of a social protection system mean that many of these children are forced to work in appalling conditions. They are mistreated by the community and local authorities, at risk from sexual exploitation, HIV and other diseases. It is a situation that has caused international concern.
Since 2007, approximately 18,000 (new and recurrent) children have been reached by the Unicef-supported Risk Reduction Project For Street Children (Risc). For the past few years, they have been working closely with local organisations in Egypt to provide rehabilitative services for children living and working on the streets.
However, considerable efforts are still needed to address the re-integration of these kids back into society. For example, there is a lack of quality governmental services to bring them back to school, to give access to health care and to provide vocational training opportunities for these forgotten children.
Road To Awareness offers people an opportunity to get involved, presenting the opportunity to donate money to the projects aimed at changing this situation. This month, Le Méridien Hotel in Abu Dhabi is organising a charity bazaar. It will be on the terrace with artists and handicraft designers from all over the UAE exhibiting paintings, photography, unique jewellery designs, traditional clothes, toys and accessories from September 1-5, 6pm-midnight. All monies raised will go to help these children.
Of course, some, such as Guido himself, are going a step (or, rather, a pedal) further. He will be joining four other cyclists in a three-day ride across France, tackling 161km of Tourmalet and Aubisque from the saddle. He says he’s watching his nutrition and fitness carefully, although we’d advise he keeps his eyes on the road. Nevertheless, he hopes to raise significant sums through sponsorship (visit www.roadtoawareness.com to donate).
The question remains, though: how will this money help? The focus of the Unicef project is to provide social, medical and psychological support to 2,000 children living and working on the streets of greater Cairo. Given the high level of risk, special focus has been placed on HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted infections, which are all-too common given their lifestyle.
The aim is to work closely with the kids, building in them an awareness of the dangers of unprotected sex. Medical care and counselling for those with HIV and who have suffered abuse will also be vital, and money will go on training for those working with the children, too, in order to increase the number of counsellors and social workers able to deal with these situations.
The main concern of the project, however, is to re-integrate these kids back into a society, which all too often views them as a menace. The hope is that the children themselves will become involved in the design, planning and running of the project. Already, former street children are involved, talking to the kids and helping them to see that there is a way off the streets. We are also told that regular monitoring of the project by Unicef will ensure that all monies raised by Road To Awareness will reach the intended targets.
The plight of Cairo’s street children is a desperate one. They are a section of society unable to speak for themselves and are thus easily dismissed. Thanks to Road To Awareness and Unicef, they not only have a voice, but a face. Hopefully, with money raised this Ramadan, they will also now have a chance.
The Road To Awareness bazaar is held at Le Méridien from September 1-5, 6pm-midnight. To donate money visit www.roadtoawareness.com
