... Many of the things we need can wait. The children cannot. Right now is the time Their bones are being formed, Their blood is being made, And their senses are being developed. To them we cannot answer "Tomorrow." Their name is "Today."    Gabriela Mistral

More than 150 million children age 3-18 are defenseless victims of violence, sexual exploitation, abject neglect, chemical addiction, and human rights violations. They leave "home" to escape such conditions. Others must leave home to earn money to support their family. These children spend their days and nights on the street, in an abandoned building or automobile, in a container – in places where they are vulnerable to more danger, abuse and neglect. These children are known as "street children."

Living in adverse circumstances robs a child of his/her childhood. Childhood itself is a right, worthy of protection in every nation. (UNICEF: Article 54, Convention on the Rights of the Child)

The costs to society of failing its children are huge. Social research findings show that children's earliest experiences significantly influence their future development. The course of their development determines their contribution, or cost, to society over the course of their lives. (UNICEF)

Health and Education

Many street children do not have documentation. Their birth was never recorded, or their circumstances have caused them to lose the official identity they once had. Without an official identity, they are not able to enroll in school.  In addition, they lack access to basic health care. Many suffer from chronic illness and disease due to their circumstances.

Lions Can Help

By forming local partnerships, Lions can identify some of the problems that affect street children. Acting as coordinators, Lions can seek solutions such as arranging for healthcare needs, helping street children complete their education and arranging for vocational training. Lions can explore needs and resources to determine how they can provide education and health services to this vulnerable group of children:

• Complete the Community Needs Assessment to determine the needs.
• Symposiums are an effective way to promote community awareness and develop collaborative relationships with other interested organizations.  Plan a symposium where Lions, educators, health professionals and other community organizations may plan for services to address the children's needs.  Find out more about the Lions Services for Children Symposium Program, which can provide funding assistance to districts and multiple districts that host a symposium to address the needs of disadvantaged children and adolescents in their communities.

Resources

• Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF): Grants and Programs
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)

For More Information

Health and Children's Services
Lions Clubs International
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-8842, USA
E-mail:  children@lionsclubs.org