Street Children
A Beacon of Hope - Stepping Stones Nigeria's Partnership with the Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network
Stepping Stones Nigeria (SSN) works with our partner NGO - The Child Rights and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN) - to help meet the needs of some of the region's many street children. The small group of young volunteers that act as the trustees of CRARN came together in 2003 to shelter 4 of the victims of a spate of killings of people stigmatised as "witches" or "wizards". When SSN first started working with CRARN, they were struggling to care for 30 abandoned children, many of whom had broken bones and serious illnesses. Children slept in abandoned market stalls and conditions were incredibly basic. Today over 140 children regularly access the services at the CRARN emergency children's shelter. This shelter provides security, safety, healthcare, nutrition, counselling, education and skills training to each child. Over 95% of the children on the streets of Akwa Ibom State have been stigmatised as "witches" by pastors and abandoned to live on the streets by their parents. On the streets these children become vulnerable to rapists, traffickers and some have been known to become victims of ritualists who use their body parts for Juju. The deeply held traditional belief in "witches" and the large numbers of street children in the region makes the job that the CRARN volunteers are doing even more incredible. Despite lack of resources and frequent abuse from the public they have made a huge difference to the lives of these children. Since SSN and CRARN began to work in partnership a great deal has been achieved. This includes:
Construction of School Classrooms and Boys Dormitory Block: SSN was able to to source funding from the Akwa Ibom State Government and Kitchen Table Charities in order to work with the local community and the children to design and build the first 5 classroom block of the CRARN academy school and a boys hostel, which currently houses 71 boys along with a live-in carer.
Purchase of Land: SSN has funded the purchase of four plots of land at the CRARN children's shelter. This has allowed for the development of the shelter and expansion of agricultural lands, which are farmed by the children as part of their daily chores.
Food and Medicine: SSN provides CRARN with monthly donations towards the costs of feeding the children at the CRARN children's shelter. Each child receives three nutritious meals a day thanks to support from Christadelphian Meal-a-Day
Income Generation: CRARN has established successful rabbit, snail and poultry farms. 50 snails have become 4,000 and 3 rabbits have become 17 in the last six months alone! These are sold at the local market or eaten by the children to suppliment their diet. The poutry farm currently holds 50 layers. Our aim is to have 250 layers and 250 broilers in the near future. The eggs will provide a valuable source of protein for the children. Training has been provided to CRARN by the Growing Business Foundation and the University of Uyo Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team. Stepping Stones Nigeria is very grateful for their continued support.
Staff Wages: SSN currently provides funding for all of the eight full time staff members at the CRARN children's shelter. This comprises of a head teacher, four teachers, two carers and a cook.
Training and Capacity Building: SSN is committed to helping build CRARN's capacity so that they may become a more effective organisation. To this end SSN has funded CRARN teaching staff in gaining recognised teaching qualifications and has covered the costs of CRARN staff and trustees participating in computer and skills training. SSN has also provided CRARN with laptop computers.
Vocational Skills: Many of the children at the camp are reaching an age where it is important to equip them with the skills needed to reintegrate themselves back into society. Children are currently taught farming, traditional building skills, carpentry, soap making and sewing skills. As the children get older CRARN and Stepping Stones Nigeria will work together to arrange apprenticeships withl local professionals for each child.
Stepping Stones Nigeria is a member of the
