In a historic move to address the issue of street children in Liberia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, launched the National Street Children Project under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection.
The project, dubbed “Support A Child, Secure the Future,” aims at rescuing and rehabilitating street children in Liberia by providing them access to education and a chance for a better future.
During the launch event at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, President Boakai emphasized the importance of safeguarding the well-being of all children. “Parents should be able to treat their children with love and care, whether they are on the streets or at home,” he stated.
He noted that corruption and misuse of public resources have hindered relevant projects such as this. “Our emphasis has always been on engaging people who misuse government resources and forget that such resources belong to all, especially the future generation,” he intoned.
Citing alarming statistics from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education and Gender, President Boakai expressed concern over approximately 85,000 out-of-school children in the country. He termed it “unacceptable” and emphasized the need to halt this trend.
He stressed the significant impact of children’s quality of life on the future of the nation and urged immediate action to address challenges faced by vulnerable children. The Liberian leader pledged his fullest support for the National Street Children Project and called on the public to contribute towards these children’s welfare and education.
Reacting to the launch, Minister of Gender, Children & Social Protection Madam Gbemie Horace Kollie commended President Boakai and development partners for their involvement in this initiative. She highlighted dire circumstances faced by many street children, including acting as breadwinners for their families and enduring various forms of abuse and neglect.
The minister expressed gratitude to partnering organizations such as UNICEF, Give Directly, SOS Children’s Village, and Street Child International for their ongoing support in addressing this critical issue. The launch marks a significant step towards ensuring a brighter future for Liberia’s youth.
