Congolese street children's view of their life situation: Implications for counseling intervention program

• Main Author: Bhai, Willibrord Kamion
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Street children—Congo (Democratic Republic)—Social conditions; Street children—Counseling of—Congo (Democratic Republic); Counseling; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6682; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/12810/viewcontent/CDTG003911_P.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study investigated the Congolese street children’s view of their life situation, how they are affected by the perceived life situation, what their present problems or concerns are, how they cope with different challenges in life, and what are the assistance they need to go ahead with their future life. There were forty-six (N=46) participants, both male and female; among which 40 took part in the FGDs and six (6) in personal interviews. There were four FGDs conducted with two groups of girls and two groups of boys. Each group had 10 participants who willingly accepted to share about their lives experiences and be tape recorded. The results of the study revealed that the street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo have a bleak and/or negative perception of their present life situation due to many psychosocial and health hazards that surround them. The street children’s negative perception of their life situation has badly affected their thoughts and their behaviors. They think negatively about themselves which prompted them to do unethical behaviors like stealing, using prohibited drugs, insulting others, etc. The street children’s problems or concerns were focused on psychosocial, financial, and health. When faced with challenges in life, the street children used problem solving, social support, and avoidance coping strategies. They need assistance in all aspects of their lives. Like other children, they need care and assistance for their normal growth and development. It was recommended that strong coordination/link-up with private and government agencies for children are very significant to address the needs of this group of children. The spiritual aspect of the children’s lives and that of their families should be taken into account; especially in cases that need forgiveness, reparation, and reconciliation. The findings of this study could also be further validated by doing similar researches in different suburbs of Kinshasa and in other parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Further study could be made to explore the phenomenon of “child sorcerer” which has become one of the major causes for families to reject or abandon their children.