“With an open heart we receive the children”: Caregivers' strategies for reaching and caring for street children in Kenya

Abstract

Summary This article describes caregivers' strategies for reaching children on the streets and caring for them at institutions of care. Data was collected over a period of two years from 70 caregivers in 35 organisations in Nairobi, Nakuru and Muranga, identified by snowball sampling strategy. Data was collected using a semi-structured topic guide based on issues emerging from earlier studies with street boys. Direct observation, video recording and photography were used to study interactions between the children and their caregivers. Findings Two themes were developed: the “dedicated” caregiver confronting street realities, and making a difference despite the limitations. The way caregivers interacted with the children on the streets and in the institutions influenced the children's decision to leave the streets, to be initiated into residential care, and attend rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. Children were more positive to caregivers who took time to understand them and were soft in establishing rapport with them. Application The results suggest that caregivers' strategies are potential contributors to reversing trends in the street children phenomenon as they influence the children's decision to leave the streets and undergo rehabilitation at institutions of care. We thus recommend development of educational efforts focusing on helping caregivers develop healthy relationships and positive interactions with the children.