Reuniting Hope: Mtendere Organisation's Efforts Transform Lives of Street-Connected Children
This initiative brings a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for these children, who once grappled with the harsh realities of life on the streets.
MZIMBA, Malawi — In a heartwarming endeavour, the Mtendere Organisation has successfully re-united and re-integrated more than 20 street-connected children with their parents and guardians in Ekwendeni, Mzimba District, writes Alinafe Sambo.
This initiative brings a glimmer of hope for a brighter future for these children, who once grappled with the harsh realities of life on the streets.
Twaliki Mbewe, a 12-year-old who had endured a life of destitution on the streets, shared his poignant story.
Leaving home due to escalating poverty and the separation of his parents, Twaliki resorted to life on the streets.
"Life has never been easy for me since my childhood. Despite people saying that children don't have responsibilities, life was never like that with me," he candidly expressed.
Living with his visually impaired father, Twaliki struggled to care for his siblings. In his quest for the basic necessities that his parents couldn't provide, he resorted to begging on the streets. "I have always lacked parental care, and life on the streets has never been easy for me," Twaliki lamented.
The Mtendere Organisation's feeding programme for street-connected children became a lifeline for Twaliki.
"Mtendere Organisation is a family to me; I am able to find the things that I lacked in life," he said, his face lighting up with newfound hope.
Poverty's devastating effects in Africa continue to affect children's access to essential services like education, healthcare, and food.
The bustling streets of Malawi have, in particular, become a battleground for encounters with street-connected children who often face tormented lives.
Joseph Nkhoma, a 14-year-old, shares a similar tale of hardship due to his parents' separation.
Raised by a single mother who remarried, Joseph was eventually expelled from his stepfather's home.
Left with no place to go and no relatives to turn to, he found himself on the unforgiving streets, eventually dropping out of school.
"I never imagined that in this life I would find myself living in the streets, at this age, spending some nights in a police cell," Joseph recounted.
However, a chance encounter with the Mtendere Organisation marked a turning point in Joseph's life.
"I have found a new family at Mtendere organisation because I have met new friends and parents who take care of me without regard for my background," he exclaimed.
Linley Mafeya, a child protection officer at Mtendere Organisation, explained the motivation behind their feeding program.
"We realized that the lack of parental care and poverty have pushed many children to the streets, so we started the feeding program where we provide food, clothing, and other basic needs," Mafeya said.
So far, the organisation has successfully re-united over 20 children with their parents and relatives from Ekwendeni in Mzimba District.
Moreover, the program also offers counselling sessions aimed at providing mental health support to street-connected children, with the ultimate goal of reducing their numbers on the streets.
Memory Chisenga, a prominent child rights activist, commended the organization's efforts, recognising the potential to significantly diminish the number of children living on the streets through this compassionate initiative.
In a world where hope can seem elusive, the Mtendere Organisation's dedication to reuniting families and transforming the lives of street-connected children shines as a beacon of optimism for a brighter future.