The kids at Friends

The student interviewed in the show is typical of many of the students that come to Friends. He ended up on the streets as a result of domestic violence. Many others are there because of poverty, abuse, migration from the country to bigger cities, HIV, drug use, and family conflicts.

Often kids end up on the streets not knowing anyone. They are vulnerable to thieves and gangs, and often start taking drugs. To earn money, they take up dangerous activities like begging, scavenging or working illegally on construction sites, fishing boats. Some turn to prostitution to make money.

Friends offers these kids an alternative to street life. Our teams of outreach staff go out on the streets everyday, meeting these children and helping them to stay safe while they are on the streets and encouraging them to move away from street life. Our centers are safe places, open to all children. They offer food, medical care, shelter and a place for kids to be just that – kids.

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