Africa
Breaking the Silence: Forgotten Street Children in Kashere, Gombe State -By Rinret istifanus
Breaking the silence means speaking up for the street children of Kashere. It means that the government, community leaders, religious teachers, and parents must work together to protect them. These children need safe shelter, education, healthcare, and care—not neglect.
In Kashere town of Gombe State, many children live a life that is full of hardship and danger. While other children wake up in their homes and go to school, these children wake up on the streets. They sleep outside shops, in markets, or around motor parks. Their situation is painful, yet many people have become used to seeing them and no longer ask questions.
Most of these children are Almajiri. They are sent from their villages to Kashere to study Islamic education. However, instead of being properly cared for, many are left to fend for themselves. Every day, they roam the streets begging for food or small money in order to survive.
Life on the streets of Kashere is not safe for these children. At night, many of them sleep outside people’s shops or in open spaces without any protection. When it rains or when the weather is cold, they suffer greatly. Because there is no adult to protect them, some of these children are abused and molested. Many of them are too afraid to speak out about what they go through.
Health is another serious problem. Many Almajiri children in Kashere suffer from malaria, infections, hunger, and untreated wounds. These sicknesses stay in their bodies for a long time because they cannot afford hospital treatment or medicine. Sadly, some children die from these illnesses, even though they could have been treated easily.
The suffering of these children continues because of poverty, lack of supervision, and weak child protection systems. Many people see their condition as normal and choose to remain silent. This silence allows abuse, sickness, and neglect to continue.
Breaking the silence means speaking up for the street children of Kashere. It means that the government, community leaders, religious teachers, and parents must work together to protect them. These children need safe shelter, education, healthcare, and care—not neglect.
In conclusion, the street children of Kashere are not worthless or troublesome. They are victims of circumstance who deserve love, protection, and a better future. By breaking the silence today, Kashere and Gombe State can give these children hope for tomorrow.
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