By Nakasia Logan | January 3, 2025
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the Family and Juvenile Support Programme, is intensifying efforts to address the issue of children living on the streets.
Oversight Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud has identified neglect as the primary factor driving children away from their homes.
Through the “Street Light Programme,” the government aims not only to remove children from the streets but also to provide holistic family support to ensure long-term stability.
According to Minister Persaud, 72 children were recently rescued from street life, with 50 of them receiving cognitive behavioral therapy.
The ministry also worked closely with their families, focusing on employment opportunities and overall family well-being.
“Most of these children have families—99% of them, in fact. The issue is not that they are without families, but rather that they face neglect. Of the over 3,000 reported child abuse cases this year, neglect ranks as the most prevalent,” Dr. Persaud explained.
She noted that, in many cases, mothers were found to be the primary perpetrators of neglect.
The Family Enhancement Services Unit, with support from USAID through the UNESCO/UNICEF Y-RIE programme, has been actively training officers in child care and juvenile management to better address at-risk behavior.
Minister Persaud highlighted that reintegration and reunification efforts are showing progress, with a decline in the number of children placed in institutional care.
A new policy aimed at reinforcing family-based solutions is set to be launched early this year.