KATWE CLEARING HOUSE

The Transit Centre

Africa foundation has worked with street children for over 35 years. Over the years we have learnt that rehabilitating a street child is a complex situation, and through trial and error Africa Foundation has developed a tactical approach that has proved hugely successful.

Unlike dealing with orphans that stay with their relatives, street children are a difficult group of children to deal with. At first we could pick them from the streets and simply settle them in a “Home” with foster parents. We could provide them with everything necessary for a human being, but we were later to discover that this was a mistake.

Street children form gangs, which are anti-social, and they are suspicious of anyone who does not belong to the gang. They feed on cold wastes thrown on the garbage pits. Clothing and bedding are not a necessity to them. What they need are simple attires, cold food, drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants.

At first we had not realised that what we considered necessities were not necessities for them. We, therefore, came up with the innovation of a Clearing/Transit House, which must be used as a Reception Centre. We realised we needed progressive steps, to keep street children off the street and consequently out of mischief. And thus, through Africa Foundation’s innovation came the 3-phase transition for street children at Katwe Clearing House. The children are here for six to twelve months and they go through the following phases.

Phase 1
They are offered a room with an environment close to that in the streets. In this respect they are simply provided with papyrus on the floor.

Phase 2
They are then given the opportunity to be transferred to the next room where they are given a blanket. (It is much their choice either to keep the blanket or to do whatever they wish to do with it). This enables the children to realise that here they are cared for and loved whatever they do.

Phase 3
Once the children have decided that they prefer this environment to the streets, they are promoted to a bed with a blanket and bed sheets. It is at this stage that they show signs of interest in education. After assessment they can either join our Rookmaaker School or attend a vocational training centre.

We have noted that a gradual environment change has a direct effect on the children’s moral and social behaviour and their reform. At all stages the children are entitled to food, shelter, protection and anything that benefits them.

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