The project will improve the access to basic social services for street children and empower them to engage in sustainable livelihood activities. 500 street children have access to medico-psycho social support; 400 children annually receive individual care and social support; 250 street connected children traced and reunited with their families and 240 children living at the Social Rehabilitation Centre and Zomba Child Centre participate in educational, vocational and leisure activities.
Malawi currently have over 4000 street connected children in Zomba, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu.They face social exclusion and exposed risks that rob them of good health and personal safety. Their unique vulnerability make prone to sexual abuse, violence and deprivations with high risks of STIs and HIV. Girls living on the street easily get into prostitution.The children easily develop into gangsters as they grow up creating a threat to urban security which eventually impacts on development.
YONECO provides education, nutrition, protection and shelter for children connected to the street. Parents are trained in parenting, livelihood opportunities and health education for children on the street. Children are equipped with vocational and entrepreneurship skills, personal health care and counselling services. CSOs and community protection committees are provided with knowledge and skills on how to support children connected to the street in Malawi
The project will provide medico-psycho-social support to over 800 children and train 200 children on vocational skills. The project will also support 200 families of the children living on street with economic activities that improve their income. These outcomes will lead to the children and their families move out of dire poverty and provide for their families health and well being.
