Angels of mercy
Caregivers, social service workers, police officials, other concerned individuals and NGO volunteers work tirelessly to try and re-unite families and restore functioning family units.
This past week I was invited to accompany representatives of various governmental organisations and NGOs on a visit to the homes of youngsters who, for one reason or another, have left their homes in the so-called informal settlements and have opted for a life on the streets.
There appears to be many factors that play a role in prompting these youngsters to take such drastic steps.
Reading in the newspapers of youngsters being born into poverty and becoming victims of circumstances or seeing it on TV does not nearly begin to describe the actual situation at grass roots level. “Grass roots level” may also sound like a cliché to some, but seeing it first-hand, deep inside the informal settlements or squatter camps, is a reality check like no other.
I do not for one moment condone the acts of these youngsters, who abandon their parents or siblings and disappear for weeks, months and even years at a time, but I cannot help understanding some of the reasons why.
To reach some of the shacks (one cannot call these dwellings anything but shacks) one has to walk along narrow, dusty pathways with dirty water flowing down eroded furrows and litter scattered in almost every patch of vacant land.
The close proximity of the shacks to one another does not allow for much privacy and family tiffs are often overheard by all and sundry.
These conditions are certainly not conducive to a harmonious family environment and it is little wonder that some kids believe a better life is to be had on the streets.
In most cases this is a short-lived experience, often ending up in violent drink- or drug-induced tragedy, imprisonment and even death.
It is against this background that concerned caregivers, social service workers, police officials, other concerned individuals and NGO volunteers have to work to try and re-unite families and restore functioning family units.
Their work seems to be never-ending, because no sooner has one family been assisted than another’s plight is highlighted.
The diligence, dogged determination to succeed and sheer effort put into such attempts by these angels of mercy are to be applauded.
Their only reward is the satisfaction of a child returning to school, coming back home and a family being reunited.
For this, society salutes them.
