(Tangaza University College, 2002-02) Cosgrove, John
like many developing nations. due to its poverty and economic structures. Sierra
Leone has had its share of street children who would beg on the streets from expatriates and
wealthy Sierra Leoneans. In the mid-90s. while working in Sierra Leone. 1 was pestered by
street kids in Freetown to the same degree that I experience the street kids during my visits
to Nairobi If the number of kids approaching for a hand-out is a reliable indication of a
country's street child population then I would propose that Freetown. in the mid-90s, had as
high an incidence of street children as Nairobi does today. The Salesians began work with
street children in the late 90s and presently have about 200 children in their care. Many of
these children now live on the streets as a direct result of the increased fighting in the last
five years. The idea for this paper arose from a combination of factors: during my pastoral
practice in Sierra Leone from 1995 anti: 1998 1 met mans of these voting soldiers at road
blocks. in the market, and even at our gate as they begged us 1hr food or soap. Anyone
could realize that. in spite of the gun and military garb. these soldiers were still very much
children: the media has also presented to the world the plight of child combatants rather