Forgotten Children: A Plan to Combat the Global Health Disparity of Street Children in Ethiopia

Abstract

It is estimated that there are more than 100 million street children globally (Kanth & Harris, 2016). This disparity between children raised in stable homes and those forced to survive in often hostile conditions greatly impacts the health and wellbeing of children from all regions. This paper examines in depth the conditions that street children in Ethiopia must endure. Current efforts to resolve the homeless crisis among Ethiopian children have been met with limited success to date. The traditional, external non-profit organization has not been able to meet the complex needs of these children (van der Wolf, 2013). Two in-country, indigenous organizations offer revolutionary practices that are proven highly effective in alleviating suffering within this population. Retrak’s focus is on the reintegration of street children with their families and communities, while Sunshine Philanthropy Group assists impoverished students in receiving education and becoming leaders in their communities. I propose that a partnership between these two organizations will create the best outcomes for street children in Ethiopia and should be the foundational premise for assisting street children around the globe.