| dc.description.abstract | Homeless children are considered one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Interventions have been put in place to reduce homeless children in the Country, but their number continues to increase. COVID-19 had significant impact of the entire population, but homeless children were affected more because of their vulnerability status. The homeless children are creative and adaptable in response to the very difficult conditions that characterize life on the streets. The study aimed at exploring the survival strategies of homeless children during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study utilized an exploratory research design which involved a qualitative research approach. A total of 18 homeless children and four key informants of local council leaders, Community Development Officer, Probation and Social Welfare were recruited. The study revealed that homeless children were challenged with lack of basic amenities, police harassment, lack of employment opportunities, lack of social ties and networks, hunger, deprived freedom of moving, lack of access to shelter, lack of protective gears such as Mask, sanitizer, and water, psychological stress, and lack of care and protection. These also adopted coping and survival strategies and these included begging for food from restaurants, stealing, making random friends and social network, using drugs, running away from police, believing in God’s favor and intervention, engaging in income generating activities, participating in campaigns, reducing on the number of meals at home, and developing resilience. The study also found that there are possible measures to improve the survival of homeless children during the covid-19 pandemic and these included relief distribution, distribution of free protective gears, providing homes/shelter, setting up income generating activities for the homeless children, providing for them basic needs, and removing curfew. | en_US |
