The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, took a significant step forward in its mission to safeguard vulnerable children by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Street Child Liberia. This agreement commits to removing 50,000 street children and enrolling them into child-care and family-strengthening programs by 2030, with the possibility of reaching even more children in need.
During the signing ceremony, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, expressed her excitement and appreciation to the leadership of Street Child Liberia and its global counterparts for their willingness to support the Government’s mission to restore dignity and hope to Liberia’s most vulnerable populations. She emphasized that this collaboration is crucial in addressing the dire situation faced by street children across the country.
Mr. Andrew Tehmeh, Country Director of Street Child Liberia, reiterated the organization’s commitment to this cause, stating that they are intentional in their approach and ready to commence operations immediately. He underscored that the MoU represents a national commitment to support the Ministry’s efforts in addressing the alarming number of children living on the streets, a problem that has reached critical levels in Liberia.
A 2022 survey conducted by the Government of Liberia, with support from UNICEF, revealed a startling statistic that 366,584 children are living in street situations across Liberia. The report highlighted several factors contributing to this crisis, including neglect, poverty, persistent non-support, and the practice of deceiving parents in rural areas into sending their children to urban centers under the false promise of education.
The signing of this MoU is one of many major steps undertaken by the Ministry to ensure the success of the “Support A Child, Secure The Future” project, set to be officially launched in the coming days. It is a five-year project aimed at permanently removing 73,317 children, 20% of the total number from street situations across the country.
Additionally, the project seeks to provide economic support to 18,330 mothers, empowering them to care for their children and prevent them from falling into the same vulnerable circumstances. This initiative forms a crucial part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to remove, reunify, and provide care for children in these precarious conditions. Efforts are also underway to cement firm commitments from other stakeholders, further strengthening the collective resolve to address this pressing issue and secure a brighter future for Liberia’s street children.
In June of the year, the Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, shared the results of a 2022 UNICEF survey which estimated that 126,702 children in Liberia are living on the streets without attending school.
Minister Horace-Kollie: “UNESCO’s alarming stats further revealed that 20% of children between 6 and 11, 30% of children between 12 and 14, and 60% of children between 15 and 17 years are out of School.” The Education Sector Plan 2022/23–2026/27 highlights the continued challenges in ensuring all children have access to quality education. The plan notes that many children, particularly those in underserved areas, are out of school, limiting their potential and hindering their learning and skill development. The plan also addresses the high dropout rates in schools, attributing them to child poverty, gender discrimination, violence, conflict, disability, and displacement.
