Over the few years the number of Street kids have drastically increased, especially in the major towns and cities in Papua New Guinea.
Acting Director for Child and Family Services Mr. Jerry Wap stated that the issue of street kids is now a priority for the office, and they started a data service in Lae, Mt Hagen, Kokopo and Port Moresby cities, and results showed that street kids are increasing in Port Moresby while Lae and Mt Hagen cities have the highest numbers.
Mr. Wap highlighted that at the beginning of this year, their office started a program called the ‘Street Kids Identification, Processing and Reintegration Program to help get the kids off the streets.
“The office of Child and Family Services has identified in Port Moresby that about 200 street kids are boys and 35 are girls.”
“When we put them into regional groups, Southern Region and Highlands Region has the highest number of street kids roaming the streets of Port Moresby,” he said.
He added also that it is sad to see that about 200 street kids do have parents, while others one parent deceased and only one parent still alive, however with no financial stability and proper concern and care, these kids turn to the streets to survive.
“Fathers and mothers allowing their kids to be on the streets, is a direct breach of the Lukautim Pikinini Act.”
“The Lukautim Pikinini Act does not allow young kids to be hanging unsupervised on the streets, thus parents are endangering their children by allowing them to be at places where their rights can be violated.”
With so many parents breaching the Lukautim Pikinini Act, the Office of Child and Family Services will now carry out awareness programs regarding this issue and will also visit the homes of the street kids to have a conversation with their parents.
“We will talk with the parent concern and get them to sign an agreement to state that they will not allow their kids on the streets again, endangering the young lives.”
“However, if after the agreement is signed and if we see the same child on the streets again, the parents and the kid will face the law.”
Mr. Wap further added that allowing kids to be on the streets is definitely not an option for survival, this is abuse.
Mr. Wap also stated that there is another group of kids who are genuine street kids, the orphans, sadly these kids are genuinely on the streets trying to survive daily.
“Our Office has identified 5 of these orphans and we have placed them in the system, in the Out of Home Care centers so they are safe and cared for.”
“5 is the number we identified this year, but there could be more, we are still working to get hold of these orphans and put them where it is safe.”
Mr. Wap who is frustrated about parents failing their parental duties, bolding added that allowing kids to be on the streets to beg, to roam and look for handouts, and to control traffic for tips is a serious breach of the Lukautim Pikinini Act and this must be stopped as soon as possible.
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