The Street Children in Brazil

In an article published in the Jornal do Comércio (26th December 2004), “Childhood and Youth,” we are shown the actual reality of children and adolescents on the streets in Recife. According to the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation (Fundaj), a study in April 2003, which informed the actions of the Metropolitan Pact (a proposal between federal, state and municipal government), showed there were 2793 children and adolescents on the streets – a large increase from an earlier study conducted 2 years previously.

The study identified that out of this number:

- 53% were in the 7-15 year age group;
- 80% were from Recife;
- 72% lived on the streets but returned at night to their homes;
- 14% sleep every night on the street;
- 13% receive the government school benefit.

The article cites an example: “Teenager M is 13 years old; at 5 years of age he ran away from home and never saw his family again. Since then, he has participated in many projects that sold the same dream – to get him off the street. He learned to make objects out of recycled material, attended a painting course and learned how to use a computer.

“Just another program in the life of a teenager, another action which in practice does not change the future or perspective of the girls and boys that live on the streets of the city. Without an effective intervention with the families of these youngsters, these shelters become places to play, eat, take a shower but afterwards they return to the street, condemned to the same life forever.”

The executive secretary of IASC (State Program for Social Assistance and Citizenship) Lygia Leite, defends herself: “I can’t take responsibility for 900 youngsters if they are not offered a concrete perspective for the future. I care, look after them, but I know what will happen.  If there is no family involvement these children will return, all of them, to the street.”