Musanze: Caritas supports former street children

Parents are being blamed for not loving much their children and not giving them the much desired attention and affection prompting children to rush to the streets where their lives are at risk.

This was discussed on this Tuesday the 25^th.June.2013 when former street kids in Musanze town completed technical skills course by CARITAS association in Ruhengeri Diocese.

Most of these former street children say the main reason they moved to the streets from their homes were family problems including orphanage, lack of affection form family members, mistreatment and poverty.

Jacqueline Mukayuhi a former street child in Musanze town says she lost her parents when she was young and could not get affection and care from her family members and she decided to go on streets to beg for her survival.

“I moved among my relatives who never cared to provide me security and food. I ended up in the streets until I was picked up by Caritas Association and I learnt tailoring. I am going to teach other street children and work hard to erase my poor past.”

Fr. Theoneste Munyankindi the senior priest of Caritas in Ruhengeri Diocese says all Rwandans should fight for the rights of the children and prevent children from going on to the streets and have families.

“All children should be treated as the same and parents should respect the rights of their children, give them affection and love to grow up in families” Fr. Theoneste Munyankindi said.

The former street children were supported by Caritas Association with tools to help them start up with the technical skills they learnt worth Rwf6 million.