Empowering Parents to Safeguard Children from Street Life: A Call for Collective Responsibility

By The Inspirer.

Parents are being urged to play an active role in guiding their children and steering them away from the dangers of life on the streets, where they often find themselves involved in unlawful activities.

A call for parental intervention was emphasized during a gathering addressed by ACP Teddy Ruyenzi on Friday, January 19, at FAWE School in Gisozi sector, Gasabo District.

The event brought together approximately 700 former street children, now reintegrated into their families, along with their parents.

The purpose of the dialogue was to elucidate the rights of children and stress the essential role of family education in safeguarding them from wandering and behaviors inconsistent with family and national values.

ACP Ruyenzi emphasized the collective responsibility, especially among parents, to address the issue of street children, which poses a burden on families and the nation as a whole.

At present, there are at least 3,900 young people and children in rehabilitation centers due to issues related to drug abuse and other illicit activities. ACP Ruyenzi stressed the importance of providing comprehensive care for children from birth, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of parents in overseeing their upbringing, including diet and education.

Additionally, she highlighted the need for parents to guide their children in making right choices and understanding the consequences of poor decisions.

Fred Mufulukye, the Director-General of the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS), identified family-related problems as significant factors leading children to leave their homes and end up on the streets.

He emphasized that for children to have a prosperous future and contribute positively to their country, parents must actively engage in their lives, take responsibility for their education, and provide support in every possible way.

Mufulukye called upon parents to act as guardians, shielding their children from harmful practices such as drug abuse, violence, and street life. He stressed the importance of instilling the right values for purposeful growth and development.

Assumpta Ingabire, the Director-General for the National Child Development Agency (CNDA), commended the dialogue as a constructive platform to address the prevalent problem and collaboratively find solutions to curb the high number of children leaving their families for the streets.

The ongoing dialogue is expected to extend to other regions of the country to tackle the root causes of the issue of street children.

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Source: RNP News.