Development Ratings

Providing opportunities for street children to learn, earn and have a childhood: Each child given care and a new opportunity has the potential to increase future earnings. This financially impacts the individual and the local economy. On top of this, each child has the chance of a proper childhood and can learn and develop through play and more positive relationships. This is something otherwise completely lost in having to address the urgent needs and problems of daily life on the street.

Rehabilitating children back into their families: The healthcare and other financial cost implications on the community of abandoned children is reduced when they are reintroduced back into their homes.

Providing income-generating activities: Families are given the opportunity to generate income through small businesses using micro-finance (~95% repayment rate) or by goat-rearing. This helps them to earn sustainable extra income to cover immediate and future child-related costs.

Preventing the worst forms of child labour: Children are protected from the most dangerous activities by removing them from mines and preventing new children entering them. Lost family income is replaced through income-generating ideas, and schooling or skills training for the children.

Registration with the National Health Insurance Scheme: Many people are unaware of their rights under the new scheme due to illiteracy or ignorance. The NHIS medical and financial benefits they get for the annual ~£8 fee mean they have surplus to pay for food, education and other items.

Providing a secure home: ~10% of abandoned children are unable to return home due to violence, death or illness reasons. AfriKids provides the missing family role. Children are more likely to grow up with healthier minds and bodies, reducing future support costs from the state and the community.

Spreading awareness of the rights of children: Communication about the rights of children increases understanding about child development and the responsibilities and duties of adults towards them. Better parenting increases the prospect of their children becoming better parents themselves.