For more than 20 years Chance for Children has been strengthening street-connected children and their families in Ghana by providing a chance to build a better future.
IN 2021 CHANCE FOR CHILDREN STRENGTHENED
OVER 2,100 STREET-CONNECTED CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN GHANA PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS
In 2021, our four street workers were five days a week on the streets of Accra, observing special protective measures due to the Pandemic.
In so doing 139 children were supported by being educated on topics related to health, education and made aware where to seek further support.
In our day center in Accra, we were able to warmly welcome a target group of 20 street-connected children in the mornings and afternoons of which 697 Children were reached.
25 new children were given temporary home in Hebron and 9 were successfully returned to their families.
Whilst 12 young people and 9 trainers benefited from the TVET agency.
REINTEGRATION
AND BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT
Pandemic
In 2020, schools in Ghana were closed for nine months due to the pandemic, the number of children on the streets increased massively. Mid-year families were affected from a fire outbreak and eviction process in the slums.
Approach
We responded to this with the "Back to-School Project", an "After School Programme" for the children and a one-off support of school material to those affected by the fire.
Outcome
180 Children restarted schooling.
64 Children attended the «After School Program».
66 Children got a one-off support for school material.
Current Situation
in Ghana
STREET-CONNECTED CHILDREN IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION
The 2011 “Census on Street-connected Children in the Greater Accra Region”* conducted and published by Departmentof of Social Welfare manifested a great concern about the raising numbers of street-connected children in Ghana.
At the time, more than 60,000 street-connected children lived in the Greater Accra Region. They left their families in search of money and work. Over half of them were girls. The census estimated that 5% of the street children were born on the street. 40% dropped out of school, and 60% have never visited one.
In 2014 local NPOs estimated that there are over 90,000 street-connected children in the Greater Accra Region.
The population of the street-connected children is growing and the main reasons “identified for this high rate of homelessness include poverty, disintegrated families and divorce, and the quest for freedom from parental control”**.
* “Census on Street-connected Children in the Greater Accra Region”, Department of Social Welfare, 2011
** “Factors that Promote Resilience in Homeless Children and Adolescents in Ghana: A Qualitative Study”, Kwaku Oppong Asante, Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana