LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES OF STREET CHILDREN THE CASE OF SENDAFA-BAKE TOWN OROMIA REGION, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The phenomenon of street children is recognized as a major social problem throughout Ethiopia. Exploring livelihoods strategies of street children in Sendafa –Beke Town was the objective of the research. It employed qualitative approach and case study research design. 36 street children were taken as the main participants through purposive and snowball sampling technique. Structured interviews, observation and focus group discussions were the main data collection instruments used in the study. The collected data were analyzed inductively using narrations and descriptions through words, phrases and statements. The finding of the study revealed that the children who have joined street life were dominantly male than female. It was also discovered that the majority of the children came from families with large households size and both of their biological parents were alive. According to the finding of the study,lack of job opportunity for the youth, disagreements with their parents,small and unproductive farm land, peer pressure, lack of social facilities, family break up, search for better education and parental push were the main reasons for the children to leave and migrate to Sendafa-Beke town. Begging, shoe-shining and carrying goods are the main sources of income generation for the street children. The study also showed that insufficient household feed, shelter and clothing, health problems and the negative attitude of society towards them were some of the challenges which the street children encountered. The study further discovered that street childrenin the study area are sympathetic to each other and thus „Ikub‟‟,Idir‟,living ingroups and borrowing and lending material from and to each other are a few of their coping mechanisms. The existence of street children and the hope to improve their situation and prospects requires a combination of integrated interventions,considering the diversity within the category of street children andthe various reasons leading them on the street.