INVESTIGATING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE STREET CHILDREN TO ABSCOND FROM INSTITUTIONS AND RETURN TO THE STREET

Abstract

The number of street children in the major cities of Malawi continues to rise. In order to address this problem and the plight of street children, the government of Malawi and some NGO’s started to remove these children from the harsh street environment to safer places, some of which are institutions (foster homes). However, some of the children abscond from institutions and go back to the streets. This study investigated factors which influence street children to abscond from institutions. Qualitative research methods were used. Interviews were conducted with a sample of street and institutionalised children and key informants. The study found that absence of income generating activities in institutions, loss of emotional support, freedom in the street, lack of involvement of children in identification of their needs, fear of meeting the same old problems at home after re-integration, inadequate amenities in institutions, and anti-social behaviour were the major factors that pushed children back to the street. It was also established that social capital and working or doing small-scale business are some of the survival mechanisms employed by children to cope with the harsh street life. To this end, institutionalization does not solve the structural problems which pushed these children to the street in the first place. Therefore, the study argues that street children should not be treated as a homogeneous group because they have different needs which must be addressed as much as possible if they are to stay in institutions or to be re- integrated into their communities.