Investigating factors behind the increase of street children

STELLA MARIS MTWARA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

(A constituent College of Saint Augustine university of Tanzania)

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Investigating factors behind the increase of street children

A case of Mtwara Mikindani Municipality

A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Education in Partial fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award Bachelor of Arts with Education of Stella Maris Mtwara University College.

ANDREW, Herman

STE/BAED/163113

2019

                                                DECLARATION

This research proposal is my original work and has not been presented to any other

Examination board. No part of this research proposal could reproduce without my

 Consent or that of the Stella Maris Mtwara University College (STEMMUCO).

Name: ANDREW, Herman

Signature:…………………….

Date:………………………….

Declaration by supervisor

The undersigned certifies that has read and hereby recommends for the acceptance by Stella Maris Mtwara University Collage a research report entitled Investigating factors behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Education of Saint Augustine University of Tanzania, with approval as a supervisor. 

Supervisor: MR.FELIX, Mulla

Signature:……………………….

Date:…………………………….

DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my beloved parents, my father Andrew Lushomi Masaba and my mother Maria Herman Maneno for their contribution and encouragement in my research proposal also without forgetting their prayers to me. This work also dedicated to my relatives especially my beloved brother Deus Andrew Masaba whose advice and funds encourage me to work hard and enable me where I am

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This good work is an outcome of God’s love in my academic activities. Also this work is a product of cooperate efforts of different people beside myself. I wish to thank them all, since it was not possible to name all of them.

I wish to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Mulla, my supervisor for his useful advice, guidance and effort for helping me to ensure that  the work is complete on time

ABSTRACT

This study investigates factor behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The study proposal based on the explorations, of causes of street children, effects of street children and measures to overcome the problem of street children.. The study guided with three specific objectives namely, to identify the causes of the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality, to examine the effects of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality and to find out the measure to curb the problem of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. Also the study consist literature review related to the increase of the street children, and the conceptual frame work as an integral part of understanding and canalizing the research problem. The study used sample size of 100.Also, the study use both quantitative and qualitative data as sampling approaches. It also used questionnaire, interview and observation as the methods of data collection and then data was analyzed and presented through Microsoft Excels, graphs, charts and tables. The findings indicated that there were different causes such as early pregnant, bad cultural practice, separation of family, poverty, disease, peer group influence and death of the parents. Again findings identify different effects like, lack of education, increase of social evils, spread of diseas, death of the children increase dependents and shortage of man power .Also the suggested measure to curb the problem were, provision of massive education, eradication of bad cultural practice and constructions of various orphanage centers. Finally there was a summary of the study conclusion and different recommendations, to the government, non government, parents and the children   

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION................................................................................................................................ i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................. iii

LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................................. x

LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER ONE................................................................................................................................ 1

1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1

1.5 Limitations of study.................................................................................................................... 6

LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................... 7

2.0 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 7

2.1 Causes of the street children....................................................................................................... 7

2.2 The effects of street children problem........................................................................................ 8

2.3 Measures to curb street children problem.................................................................................... 9

2.4    Conceptual frame work.......................................................................................................... 11

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................... 13

3.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 13

3.1 Research design........................................................................................................................ 13

3.2 Research approaches................................................................................................................. 14

3.3 Area of the study...................................................................................................................... 14

3.4 Targeted population.................................................................................................................. 15

3.5 sample size................................................................................................................................ 15

3.6 Sampling techniques................................................................................................................. 16

3.6.1 Simple random sampling........................................................................................................ 16

3.6.2 Purposive sampling................................................................................................................ 16

3.7.1 Primary Data collection methods............................................................................................ 17

3.7.1.1 Questionnaire...................................................................................................................... 17

3.7.1.2 Observation......................................................................................................................... 17

3.7.1.3 Interview............................................................................................................................. 18

3.7.2 Secondary Data collection method......................................................................................... 18

3.7.2.1 Review document............................................................................................................... 18

3.8 Data analysis technique............................................................................................................. 18

CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................................ 20

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONNOF FINDINGS.................................. 20

4.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 20

4.2.2 Bad cultural practice.............................................................................................................. 23

4.2.3 Separation of family.............................................................................................................. 23

4.2.4 Poverty................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2.5 Disease................................................................................................................................... 24

4.4.6 Peer group influence.............................................................................................................. 25

4.3 Effects of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality................................. 26

4.3.1 Lack of education.................................................................................................................. 27

4.3.2 Increase of social evils........................................................................................................... 27

4.3.4 Death of the children............................................................................................................. 28

4.3.5 Increase number of dependents............................................................................................. 28

4.3.6 Shortage of manpower........................................................................................................... 29

4.4 Measures to curb the increase of street children problem.......................................................... 29

4.4.1 Provision of massive education.............................................................................................. 30

4.4.2 Eradication of the bad cultural practice.................................................................................. 31

4.4.4 Constructions of various orphanage centers........................................................................... 32

4.4.5 To distribute equal social services.......................................................................................... 32

CHAPTER FIVE............................................................................................................................. 33

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.......................................................... 33

5.0 Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 33

5.2 Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 34

5.3 Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 35

5.3.1 Recommendations to the parents............................................................................................ 35

5.3.2 Recommendations to the children.......................................................................................... 35

5.3.3 Recommendations to the government.................................................................................... 35

5.3.4 Recommendations to the nongovernmental sectors................................................................ 36

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................. 37

APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................. 39

APPENDIX I................................................................................................................................ 39

APPENDIX II............................................................................................................................... 42

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Distribution of sample size……………………………………………………………14

Table 2: Distribution of age and gender of the respondents……………………………………20

Table 3: Causes of the increase street children …………………………………………………21

Table 4: Effect of the increase street children ……….………………………………………….24

Table 5: Measures to curb the increase street children ……….…………………………………2

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: conceptual frame work………………………..............................................................10

Figure 2: Distribution of age and gender of the respondents…………………………………...21

Figure 3: Causes of the increase street children ………………………………………………..20

Figure 4: Effects of the increase street children problem……………………………………… 24

Figure 5: Measures to curb the increase of street children………………………………………27

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This chapter of the research report includes the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions, significant of the study, limitations of and definition of key terms on the study on investigating factors behind the increase of street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

1.1 Background of the study

The street children are become the social problem and economic problem in various part of the world and it started to exist since the early of 1980. This problem does not only exist in developing countries but also in developed countries. In 1996 the United State of America had 5 million children lived in extreme poverty .approximately one million of those children were on the street. The study were conducted by the Luxemburg income study showed poor children in united state was poorer than children in most industrialized countries  since the united state had less generous social program , the widest gap between poor and rich  , and high number of poor immigrant and unwed teen mother . According to Kagunila (2000) categorized street children into four groups, the first group was children of street, these were the children who have no home but the street and no family support. They were moved from one place to another living in shelter and abandoned at home. The second group was a children on street, this were the  children who visit their families regularly and might even return every night to sleep at home but spend most days and some night on the street because of the poverty, overcrowding at home. The group was Part of the street family, these children live in sidewalks or city square with the rest of their families. They may be displaced due to poverty, war and natural disaster. Children in these cases were often working in the street with other member of the families and the fourth group was institutionalized care, children in this situation care from of a home situation of homeless and were at risk of returning to a life on the street. Many studies had determined that street children were boys and girls age between ten (10) to fourteen (14).

Current estimates number of abandoned and street children worldwide 100 million where by a study by ideas forum (IF) found that in Brazil alone there were thirty (30) million children lived in streets (Gustafson, 2002) it was estimated that in whole of Latin America and Caribbean island the number was fifty(50) million (ibid). Although the exact number of street children in the world was not known (World vision 2007).

Different writers and scholars wrote that, the problem of street children were growing worldwide in African countries. Indeed it can be argued that the number of street children had been grown steadily with social economic changes, also kopoka (2000) noted that more than ten (10) million children in Africa lived away from their families most of them were found in cities and towns. Also, Kagunila (2004)   conducted a study on street children in Africa and he noted that, urban growth accelerated the growth of street , inequitable distribution of resources, several economic crises, unstable political conditions that resulted to social unrest  all of these contributed to the increase of deprivation and breaking down of many families. Also, According to Kagunila (2000), the deprivation and breaking down of families had resulted to many children to move away from their families so that they could find the means to acquire their life requirements. In Tanzania the problem of street children during the past of ten (10) years Tanzania cities underwent rapid changes transformed the urban environment as well as the lives of millions of people who lived in this settings and the impacts of the changes were affected almost everybody especially in urban, one of the problem grew associated with these changes were the tremendarous increased in unsupervised children either living alone and working in urban street.

The number of street children had increased rapidly, for example in 2010 there were about 60,000 street children on big cities like Dar es salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza ,and Morogoro to seek the employment of their live hood (lugalla,2010). In Tanzania problem of street children especially in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality was experienced in various parts where people lived and earned their needs and also experienced the problem of street children and unfortunately the investigation on factors behind the increase of street children were not conducted. Therefore, the researcher took this opportunity to investigate about this problem.

 1.2 Statement of the problem

Street children was serious problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality, Street children can be characterized as one of sub set of orphan populace, which also include abandoned children, foster children and run away these children experienced poverty, homeless  also they lived on streets of cities, towns or villages. Also, the issues of violence and abuse of power that they suffer from their home places,  returned home at night, others have become more significantly detached or completely detached from their original home and family and literally lived on streets full time.

Mtwara Mikindani Municipality had the population of 108,299.This was according to the National Census that was conducted in 2012 and among of this population others were street children. Also, Mtwara Mikindani Municipality was approximated 2308 number of street children. The problem if not addressed at a time mighty lead consequences in the society this includes the increase of social crimes like the use of drugs also the issues of prostitution and robering.Also, if the problem was not addressed it mighty lead to the increase of government expenditure like provision of health care to those children.

Different programs, project and different studies were conducted on the problem, but no successes eliminate the problem, for example in Raha Leo ward there was a project of facilitating children in term of providing the school uniform to the children, also providing learning materials like books and exercise books but the program failed, due to the parents were not ready to cooperates with the facilitators. Thus, the researcher decided to conduct the study on the investigating the factor behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The objectives of study in the research report were considered the main objective and the specific objectives of the study.

 1.3.1 General objective

The main objective of the study was to investigate the factors behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

       1.3.2 Specific objectives

                    i.      To identify the causes of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality

                  ii.            To examine the effects of increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

                iii.            To find out the measures to overcome street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

      1.3.3Research questions

                                i.            What are the causes of street children in Mtwara mikindani municipality?

                              ii.            What are the effects of street children in Mtwara mikindani municipality?

                            iii.            What are the possible measures to be taken to overcome the street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality?

         1.4 Significance of the study

             The proposed study was considered to be potential since it had the following   

             Significance, these includes

          i.            Give awareness to the stake holder about the problem facing street children, their future life, the community and national at large.

        ii.            The policy maker would be aware about how street children were found and this would help to come up with the mechanism to alleviate street children in our country.

      iii.             Not only rising awareness to all stake holders, but also the findings of this study would added knowledge to society about the problems that faced street children and how to minimize street children in our society.

      iv.            The study imparted the knowledge to academic issues like increased number of references reports of the street children in library.

        v.            Assist the government to have the positive attitudes on helping the street children by considered the problem faced the street children like physical and mental violence and negligent treatment and exploitation.

1.5 Limitations of study

The study had different limitations included the following

          i.            Availability of the respondent likes street children, some were available in some risk area and some ware addicted with drugs, they were not lady to provide the information.

        ii.             Time allocated to conduct the research was not enough, since it was not impossible to pass all the wards of Mtwara Mikindani Municipality and due to these lead to the shortage of the information concerned with the study.

      iii.              It was impossible to differentiate between the street children and street labor who they done their works during day on the street and then they return to their home place during night.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

Review of the literature provide the background and context for the research problem, literature review involved, several activities  like reading, identifying ,describing ,evaluating, summarizing discussing and synthesizing  various documents with the information related to the problem under the study. (Adam and Kamuzola, 2008).

This chapter is about reviewing various literary works according to the various scholars and researchers views which related with this study, which concerned with the causes of street children, effect of street children and  measures to curb the increase of street children, conceptual frame work and research gap. 

2.1 Causes of the street children

 Poverty; Is the condition where peoples basic needs for food, clothing shelter and others like education, health, security are not being met .(UNICEF,2001) .Africa nowadays a continent was characterized with the extremely increase of poverty ,failed of parents to feed ,educate and buy clothes for their children was among of the major indicator of the poverty .the side effect of this situation was the psychological to both parents and their children ,while a parents in depressed and frustrated turn into the abusive of behavior towards children whom felt not sure their fate as a resulted they flee away in search of freedom.( Silvel ,2009).Also due to poverty, girl engaged in sexual business (prostitution) whereby this situation many of them are affected by HIV/AIDS which resulted to their death and hence increased number of street children.( Kilboun ,2006) and therefore suggested that the child who lost his or her parents in most cases experienced psychological, economic and social problem.

 Peer group influence, was the another cause of street children, different children had different altitude on the living conditions on their home place, few children leaved their homes for the street life since they influenced of their peers, some of the children find themselves on the streets as a result of their peers encouraged them to leave the conflict ridden homes they live in, this may done by the peers glorified the idea of city life out of the home. (Ercksonand Egeland, 2002).

 Gender, many scholars argue that gender was among of the causes of street children, fewer girls are abandoned by their families unlike boys because girls were often socialized and taught by their families and culture to be submissive and caring. (Mooney,1992). Therefore, they tend to have fewer behavior problems as compared to boys since girls have fewer behavioral problems; they have less conflict with their families and did not need to leave their homes. Separation of family; the family institute in Africa going through a lot of upheaval, fewer and fewer children had stabled and living family environments. Many families had brooked up with children let to survival for them. Many families lack communication between parents and children, alcoholism and domestic violence, therefore many children ruined away to the street to avoid violence and abuse in the family. (UNICEF, 2010). 

2.2 The effects of street children problem

 Lack of medical care, and inadequate living conditions increased young people susceptibility to chronic illness such as respiratory or ear infection, gastrointestinal disorders and sexual transmitted diseases includes HIV/AIDS. Children must found themselves the way to ate, some scavengers or found exploitative physical work; many homeless children are enticed by adults and order youth into sold drugs, stolen and prostitution ( Silvel ,2009). 

 Increase of social evils, children on the street was common as they look for means to number the pained and deals with the harden associated with street children. Studies have found that up 90% of street children used psychoactive substance included machine, alcohol, cigarettes, heroin, and readily available product such has shoe glue. (Lugala, 2010)

  Death of the children, between 1987 and 1990 alone, there were 1,397 violets deaths of Brazilian street children, in fact the total number of street children killed in Brazil has according to one estimate supervised the casualties in the civil war in Lebanon, similar violence has found I Colombia, Guatemala and South Africa where the government collusion has also been documented (McLaughlin, 1986).

2.3 Measures to curb street children problem

  Careful measures should be taken with regarded to children before allowed divorce. Divorce should not be allowed except when making sure that one of both parents and institutional care would protect children.(UNICEF,2010)

Children should be protected while working. Legal supported to work children and constant monitoring of cases of violations by employers was a vital preventive measure against the emerged and developed of the problem of street children. NGOs should participate in the process, in cooperation of the ministry of labor and man power. (Lugala, 2010)

Street children should be able to had access to governmental vocational training, without the prerequisites of legal credentials. Such a project was strongly supported by all NGOs working with street children that believe in the efficacy of the vocational Training programs provided at the governmental level, which street children should benefit from.(UNICEF,2011).

The need to change attitudes of local communities and the way people in general perceive the problem of street children, as well as the prevalence of the problem through various poor communities and marginalized areas surrounded major cities, contributed to the emergence and development of the problem. (Mbwambo,1999).

 

2.4    Conceptual frame work

Dependent variable

Independent variable

           

Street children problem

Effects of street children problem         i.            Lack of medical care.       ii.             Increase government expenditure.     iii.            Increase of social evils     iv.            Death of the children. .

Factors for street children problem i.Poverty. ii.Gender. iii.Peer group influence. iv.Separation of family. v..Early pregnancy.

 

                                                                                                                                    

Measures to overcome the street children problem i.            Mass education to the parents. ii.            To avoid family miss understanding. iii.            Construction of street centers by the government. iv.            To stop the issue of drug dealer.

 

Source: Researcher (2019)

2.4. Research gap

Research gap is the question or problem which has not answered appropriately or at all in a given field of study. (Alvesson andSandberg,2011). Therefore research gap was actually what makes your research publishable.

Different researchers conducted the study for instance James Lyimo (2013) conducted the study in Kilimanjaro Region specifically in Moshi Municipality since the researcher based on the social economic factors, patterned on that region. It can be a factor for the increase of street children problem since children attracted to migrate from rural to urban where there is availability of social economic services like employment opportunity.

Therefore the study would concentrated in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality where the number of street children now days was cause due to the rapid increase of the early pregnant as a factor for increase street children and there was the major effect which was the death of the childrens.Therefore, the measure to curb street children problem was provision of education to the parents.                                   

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

       3.0 Introduction

       This chapter explains how research was designed with data collection and presentation    

       Methods. This chapter includes various sections namely, area of study, target population,

       Research design and approach, sample size, sampling techniques, data collection techniques

       And data analysis techniques.

      3.1 Research design

Research design, is the plan for carrying out a study. (McMillan, (2008). Following the formation of the research problems and the elaboration of the objectives, there was a need to outline the various stages and tasks to be executed as part of the study. The research design would therefore serve as a model for the research work.

The study used a case study design which consists of an in-depth study with the aim of produced description.  The researcher intended to use a case study design in order to provide general results from a small area that presented the whole population of the study. The study employed a case study of Mtwara Mikindani Municipality in which Railway; Rahaleo and shangani wards were taken as a sample to represent other wards.

      3.2 Research approaches

 The study used mixed research approach in which both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used interchangeably to investigate the factors behind the increase of street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The concern of using mixed research approach was that, quantitative data used to test the qualitative explorations of the first phase of the study. Alternatively qualitative data used to explain more detail the initial quantitative statistical results.

      3.3 Area of the study

The study was conducted in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. Mtwara Mikindani Municipality is one of the four districts in Mtwara Region in southern Tanzania; it is located 0 to 350 meters from above the sea level. Its coordinates at 10˚17'0'' south and 40˚7'0'' East. The district is bordered to the west and south by Mtwara Rural District, north by Lindi Region and Indian Ocean in eastern part. It has a population of 108,299.   (Tanzania National Census, 2012)

The climatic condition is influenced by south trade wind in mid year and the northern eastern trade wind during the turn of the year. The temperature vary little, the mean temperature is 24.3˚C in July and 27.5˚C in December, the annual mean temperature is 26˚C (kasuga, 2003)

Mtwara Mikindani Municipality comprises of ten (10) wards namely, Majengo ,Chuno,Railway,Shangani,Naliendele,Rahaleo,Ufukoni,Chikongola,Vigaeni and  Likonde but the study  was conducted into four wards which were Shangani, Rail way , Rahaleo and Chikongola.

     3.4 Targeted population

The study focused on the people care children at orphanage centre, NGO'S, parents include both male and female, street children and wards executive officers.

      3.5 sample size    

Sample is the small proportion of a population selected that will participate in the study (kombo, 2002:70). The sample was selected by a researcher so as to represent the whole targeted population of the study. The sample was obtained basing on the rule of thumb proposed by John (1984), the rule directs for (0-100) population (5%) of respondents should be used and (100-1000) population (10%) of the respondents should be used. Therefore, the study used the sample size of one hundred (100) respondents and this summarized in the table below 

     Table 3.1 Distribution of sample size

S/N      Respondents	Respondents Female	Respondents  Male	Total
1.       Career orphan centre  2.       Parents  3.       Street children  4.       NGO’S 5.        Wards executive officer	2 22 27 3 6	3 18 13 2 4	5 40 40 5 10
Total	60	40	100

Source: Field Data (2018)

3.6 Sampling techniques

 Mwenje (2001), defines a sample as a plan for obtaining representation information from a given population while sampling is a process   of obtaining a sample. It was the process of selecting a portion of the population that conforms to a designed set of specifications to be studied. Simple random technique and purposive sampling technique were used to obtain the respondents from the targeted population.

3.6.1 Simple random sampling

Simple random sampling is the lottery method in which individual unit is picked up from the whole group not deliberately by some mechanical process (Kothari, 2004). Under this kind of sampling all individuals had equal chance to be selected in the sample. Random sampling ensures the laws ensure the law of statistical regularity which state that “if an average the sample chosen is random one’’. The sample possessed same composition and characteristic as the universe. Therefore, this is the reason why random sampling was the best technique of selecting a representative sample in the study. Then the study was use 40 parents, 40 street children, 5 orphanage center, 5 NGOS and 10 wards executive officers. In this way the researcher considered targets while selection where randomly.

3.6.2 Purposive sampling

Purposive sampling is the selection of the site or participant that was best help to the researcher to understand the problem and research question. They must be willing to reflect on and their knowledge. (Creswell, 2003).The study used the purposive sampling in the selection government officers (ward officers).Therefore, this technique is used in order to collect professional information and reliable data from expertise.

3.7 Data Collection techniques

Data collection refers to the gathering of the information to prove some facts (Tombo&Tromb, 2006). The techniques included both primary and secondary methods of data collection, where by the primary methods include, questionnaire, observation and interview while the secondary data collection methods employed a single technique which was review of document.

3.7.1 Primary Data collection methods

3.7.1.1 Questionnaire

Questionnaire is the written document containing statements or questions that are used to obtain subjects, perspectives, values, attitudes, beliefs and other traits. (Kothari, 2004). The study used these techniques to gather a lot of information within a short period of time from the wide area of the study. Then open ended questionnaire questions provided to the respondents so as to allow the respondents to provide a lot of information.

3.7.1.2 Observation

Observation is the action or process of closely looking or monitoring (John, 2000). The researcher was among of the participants observing the real situation of street children. The method helped the researcher to obtain reliable data concerned with the problem.

3.7.1.3 Interview

 Interview is the method of collecting data which involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal response. This method has been used through personal interview and if possible through telephone interview (Kothari, 2004). The researcher used face to face interview method through unstructured oral questions. This was done in order to minimize the possibility of losing the information from those people who were unable to read and write. The method enabled the researcher to get the actual data from the field on time.

3.7.2 Secondary Data collection method

3.7.2.1 Review document

David (1989) defined document as printed or written record used to prove something. The researcher went through written documents including journals, newspapers, books and reports concerned with the street children. Furthermore, the researcher searched in the internet websites, reviewing different written reports by different scholars and reports of the government on the street children.

3.8 Data analysis technique

Data analysis is the critical examination of assembling and grouped data for studying the characteristics of the object under the study and for determining the patterns of relationship among the variables relating to it (Krishnaswami, 1993).Then, the study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Then, the qualitative data used to analyze using content analysis of data obtained from the respondents. Also, the quantitative data used to analyze data by using percentage and Microsoft excel. Also, the data presented through tables, graphs and charts that display the data by using the frequency and the percentages.

 

                                                              CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSIONNOF FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction

This chapter presents findings, analysis, discussion and interpretations of the findings. The data was analyzed based on the three specific objectives through questions which were formulated to enable the researcher to collect appropriate information.

4.1 Characteristics of the respondents

 Table2: Distribution of age and gender of respondents

Age	Female	Male	Total	Percentage
18-26	25	21	46	46%
27-37	15	16	31	31%
38 above	11	12	23	23%
Total	51	49	100	100%

Source: Field Data (2018)

Figure2: Distribution of age and gender of respondents

Source: Field Data (2019)

The table 2 and the figure 2 above shows the respondents with different ages. Based on the table and the figure, where 46% of the respondents were 18-26 years, 31% of the respondents were 27-37 years and 23% were 38 years and above. All respondents belonging to the different age and groups were helpful; they provided relevant information concerned with the topic of the study. This was because the study used respondents with ages ranging from youth to adults in the community who were aware with the factors for the increase of street children.

4.2 Causes for the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality

Table 3: Causes of the increase of street children

S/N	Causes of street children	Frequency	Percentage (%)
1.	Early pregnant	18	18 %
2.	Bad cultural practice	10	10 %
3.	Separation of family	20	20 %
4.	Poverty	12	12 %
5.	Disease	17	17 %
6.	Peer group influence	12	12 %
7.	Death of the parents	11	11 %
	Total	100	100 %

Source: Field Data (2019)

Figure 3: Causes of the increase of street children

Source: Field Data (2019)

4.2.1. Early pregnant

From the table and the figure, 18 respondents equivalent to 18% of all respondents. Stated that Early pregnant was the major cause of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This implied that some girls got pregnant at pre mature age (child age).When the girl got pregnant; they were not cared by their husband. Girls failed to full fill their responsibility of taking care children and unfortunately they leaved their child to their grandparents, who were not able to provide the basic needs to the children. Therefore, children decided to went to the streets search for the basic needs at the end they become street children.

4.2.2 Bad cultural practice

From the table and the figure, 10 respondents equivalent to 10% of all respondents. Stated that Bad cultural practice was the major cause of street children. This implied that Bad cultural practices were responsible for the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.  For instance there was ‘unyago’ where children were taught various things related to marriage at a child age. Then this circumstance led the children to engage in love affairs and ultimately then occurrence of unplanned pregnant.

4.2.3 Separation of family

From the table and the figure, 20 respondents equivalent to 20% of all respondents. Stated that Separation of family was the main cause of increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that Parents underwent serious misunderstandings within a family. For example, some of the fathers were practiced polygamy this may cause the misunderstanding within a family which result to the divorce. Also, polygamy caused parents to separate and they leaved their children without guide and control. Therefore, children decided to live as they want because they were not under care of their parents and they went to the street to search basic needs. At the end they become street children.   

4.2.4 Poverty

From the table and the figure, 12 respondents equivalent to 12% of all respondents stated that poverty was the main cause of increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This implied that parents were poor they had insufficient income to fulfill the needs of their children, some of them were worked in unfavorable working condition like fishing activities, cheap labor in the industries and ports. Also, some of them were involved in the small scale agriculture (irrigation agriculture) and depends in the cashew nuts crop as the source of their income. The income that they got was not enough to fulfill their children needs like sending them to school, because of poverty in the family, children found themselves find   their basic needs in the street and finally becomes the street children.

4.2.5 Disease

From the table and the figure, 17 respondents equivalent to 17% of all respondents stated that Disease was the major cause of increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that some of the parents were suffered from various diseases like HIV/AID, sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) and Malaria. All these disease affected the health of the parents. Because of disease parents failed to perform their duty sufficiently. Therefore, children decided to the take responsibilities to care their parents. Children were involved with various activities in the street and unfortunately they end to be the street children.

4.4.6 Peer group influence

From the table and the figure, 12 respondents equivalent to 12% of all respondents stated that Peer group influence was the major cause of increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The study identified that most of the children engage in unprotected sex without know the side effects of it because of the pressure   from their peer group. This gave out most of the children to dismiss from their home and this can be look on the phase of increase number of evils in our societies, where by most of the children engaged in robbery and other activities which was illegal.

4.4.7 Death of the parents

From the table and the figure, 11 respondents equivalent to 11% of all respondents mentioned that Death of the parents was main cause of increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that Parents were died due the various factors includes disease like HIV/AIDS or Malaria. Also, death of the parents caused by accidents. Family remained with the single parents or with no both parents. Therefore, single parent did not afford to accommodate the children; they decided to run away from their family, the situation was lead to the increase of the street children, because parents were run away from their home place.

4.3 Effects of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

Table 4: Effects of increase of street children

S/N	Effects of street children	frequency	Percentage (%)
1.	Lack of education	20	20 %
2.	Increase of social evils	13	13 %
3.	Spread of disease	27	27 %
4.	Death of the children	15	15 %
5.	Increase number of dependents	15	15 %
6.	Shortage of manpower	10	10 %
	Total	100	100%

Source: Field Data (2019)

Figure 4: Effects of street children

Source: Field Data (2019)

4.3.1 Lack of education

From the table and the figure, 20 respondents equivalent to 20% of all respondents mentioned that Lack of education was the major effect of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. They state that ‘the existence e of street children cause the lack of education because most of them were not under the control of their parents or institution on which act as a source of providing education to the children’ because of the problems respondents emphasized that education in Tanzania had created a classes, that there was the class of educated and uneducated (Street children). Therefore, the street children look as obstacle of Tanzanian development because produced unskilled labor or ignorance generations.

4.3.2 Increase of social evils

From the table and the figure, 13 respondents equivalent to 13% of all respondents mentioned that Increase of social evils was the major effect of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. Social evils includes Robe ring, prostitutions for girls, drug abuse, sexual harassments, unplanned pregnant among many other. Children were involved in such situations because they were not under care of their parents or guardians. Also, because of the increase of social evils was lead to the increased number of thief which was resulted to the destruction of the properties and infrastructures. Therefore, development in the nation would not attained if the problem of the street children was not solved,.

 4.3.3 Spread of disease

From the table and figure, 27 respondents equivalent to 27% of all respondents state   that  the Spread of disease was the major effect of the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.  This implies that children were engaged in sexual affairs, some were raped and others engaged in prostitutions especially girls in the streets. Because of that situation lead to the spread of disease such as sexual transmitted disease (STDs), HIV/AIDS. Therefore, spread of disease was affected the health of the children and the community at large.

4.3.4 Death of the children

From the table and the figure, 15 respondents equivalent to 15% of all respondents mentioned that Death of the children was the major effect of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This implies that death of the children were resulted due to the spread of disease like HIV/AIDS and some died because of the various accidents occurred in the street like road accident. Also, children was died when they were engaged in thief, were beaten by people and some of them were fired by people especially in Majengo ward. Also, the death of the children was occur when the guardians over worked their children without gave them foods. These situations were lead to the death of the children.

4.3.5 Increase number of dependents 

From the table and the figure, 15 respondents equivalent to 15% of all respondents stated that Death of the children was the major effect of the increase street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that the number of dependents increased when the children in the street they had nothing to do in the street. Therefore, they depends to the governments or other peoples and other orphan centers. The children would depend on food, shelter and clothes as well as security. Also, the street children when got health problem the government and private orphanage centre were responsible to insured that there was improvement of the health status of the children.

4.3.6 Shortage of manpower

From the table and figure, 10 respondents equivalent to 10% of all respondents state   that Shortage of manpower was the main effects of the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that children were evolved in the bad behaviors like the use of drugs and alcohol especially boys. Also, girls were involved in prostitutions (selling their body on the street).Therefore, they were not involved in the productivity activities like agriculture, mineral activities, and other economic activities, finally the government failed to had skilled and trained person.

4.4 Measures to curb the increase of street children problem

Table4: Measures to curb the increase of street children problem

S/N	Measure to curb the problem of the increase street children	Frequency	Percentage (%)
1	Provision of massive education	23	23
2	Eradication of the bad cultural practice	17	17
3	Formation of the strong law about children’s right	29	29
4	Constructions of various orphanage  centers	21	21
5	To distribute equal social services	10	10
	Total	100	100%

Source: Field Data (2019)

Figure 5: Measures to curb the increase of street children problem

Source: Field Data (2019)

4.4.1 Provision of massive education

From the table and the figure, 23 respondents equivalent to 23% of all respondents stated that Provision of massive education was main measure to curb the increase of street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that the government and other non government organizations should emphasized the parents to send and register their children to schools; this would help the children to gain the skills and knowledge to solve various problems related to them. Also, through the provision of education children would employed in different professionals. Therefore, parents should categorize their children in different talents like drawings, singings, dancing, and painting and among many other. By doing so the problem of street children would be solved.

4.4.2 Eradication of the bad cultural practice

From the table and the figure, 17 respondents equivalent to 17% of all respondents, mentioned that eradication of the bad cultural practice was main of the measure to curb the increase of street children problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that problem of street children increased due to the bad cultural practice. Therefore, the government should find the best way to eradicate the bad cultural practice which was wresult to the bad behavior for instance ‘Jando and Unyago’ which was lead to the stimulation of sexual desire to the children in the child age. By eradicating those bad cultural practices the problem of early pregnant would be solved.

4.4.3Formation of the strong law about children’s right

From the table and the figure, 29 respondents equivalent to 29% of all respondents mentioned that, formation of the strong law about children’s right measure that may curb the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that  strong law and policy about children rights should be formulated so as to safe guard the children and protecting them from bad things like abuse of power to the children, again when the law formulated would ensured the children that would be physical, mentally and psychological feat, since they had controlled laws which defends them.

4.4.4 Constructions of various orphanage centers

From the table and the figure, 21 respondents equivalent to 21% of all respondents, stated that Constructions of various orphanage centers was the major measure that may curb the increased of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This means that problem of the orphan was the serious problem that was lead to the increase number of street children; the government should construct various orphanage centers for example in Raha Leo Ward there was an orphanage center which was owned by EAGT church and the rest wards they had not .Therefore, the government should construct so as help the children to had a habitants.

4.4.5 To distribute equal social services

From the table and the figure, 10 respondents equivalent to 10% of all respondents, stated that Constructions of various orphanage centers was the major measure that may curb the increase of street children of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. This implies that government and nongovernmental organization, should distribute equal social services like education and health, so as to make all children had equal access all social services for the development of the mental and physical capabilities and hence by doing so the problem of the increase street children would be solved.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction

This chapter deals with summary, conclusion and recommendations related to the investigating factors behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality.

5.1 Summary

Chapter one based on the background of the study, statement of the problem as well as the objectives of the study on the investigating factors behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The study guided with three specific objectives which were, as to examine the causes of the increase of street children, identify the effects of the increase of street children and find out the measures to curb the problem of the increase street children.

 The second chapter focused on the literature review whereby there was lot of literatures, that w used by the researcher to identify some causes of the street children. For example Erickson and (Egeland, 2002), identify that on the causes of the increase of the street children were peer group influence. Also McLaughlin (1986), justify that among of the effects of the increase of street children were drug abuse again UNICEF (2011). Identify that one of the measure to curb the problem was to allow the children to have the equal chance to access the government services like educations and health.

Third chapter concentrated on the aspects of research methodology, such as research approach, research design, and area of the study, sampling and sample technique and data collection techniques. The study used the simple random and purposive sampling to obtain the sample size. where by the study  used 100 respondents as the sample size from a targeted population, by which use 40 parents, 40 street children, orphanage center, 5 NGOS and 10 wards executive officers. Again the researcher employed three methods of data collections these were questionnaire, interview and observations. study used both quantitative data and qualitative data,  used data the researcher used Microsoft ExcelProgramme during the analysis of data where by data was presented on tables, graphs, charts and statistical descriptions.  

Chapter four concentrated on the discussion of the findings obtained by the researcher from the field. These were based on the causes, effects and measures to curb the problem of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. Various causes of street children were identified. These include  Early pregnant, Bad cultural practice, Separation of family, Poverty, Disease, Peer group influence, Death of the parents. Also, the researcher obtains various effects of the increase street children these includes  Lack of education, Increase of social evils, Spread of disease, Death of the children, Increase number of dependents ,Shortage of manpower. Of the measure to curb the problem, things were Provision of massive education, Formation of the strong law about children’s rights, Constructions of various orphanage centers, to distribute equal social services, and Eradication of the bad cultural practice.

5.2 Conclusion

The study was about investigating the factors behind the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The study revealed that the problem of street children increase now days, then the government and other stake holders should advice the parents to take care of their children and send their children to schools.

5.3 Recommendations

5.3.1 Recommendations to the parents

The problem of the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality could be solved or decreased when the parents played their roles to their children by providing the basic needs like food, shelter and clothes also parents should solve their misunderstanding without involving their children. Parents should find the best person like elders to advices them so as to reduce the separations of families and the issue of divorce within the family.

5.3.2 Recommendations to the children

Bad behaviors of the may lead to the increase of street children in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality. The children were involved in drug abuse, wearing short clothes and also children were not to listen to their parents and they lived as they wanted then parents decided to chase them away from their place. Therefore, children should respect their parents; by following the instructions from their parents. Also, they should play their responsibilities to their parents by doing so the problem of street children could be solved.

5.3.3 Recommendations to the government

As the increase of street children was the biggest problem in Mtwara Mikindani Municipality, the government through their representatives like wards officers and regional officers should build the different orphan centers in the municipality. Also the government should identified the children who lived in the poor conditions and should plan for protected them in term of security and shelters. Also, government should plane to make the policies which would favor the right of the children.

5.3.4 Recommendations to the nongovernmental sectors 

Nongovernmental sectors and other religious sectors should help the government to build different orphan centers. Also to finance the children who were living in poor conditions, like to paying school fees and other contributions. Also the religious institutions like churches and mosques should advices parents on how to bring up children in proper way

APPENDIX II

QUESTIONNEIRE FOR WARDS EXACUTIVE OFFICERS

Dear respondent

My name is ANDREW, Herman a student of Stella Maris Mtwara University College pursuing Bachelor of Arts with Education (BAED 163113).I’m conducting a research on Investigating factors behind the increase of street children, a case of Mtwara Mikindani Municipality .This study has the nature of academic purpose and not for political interest .This will call your freedom to express your own view and I sure that the information of our conversion will be private and used for academic purpose only.

Put a tick (√) in the appropriate answer

Don’t write your name in this paper

SECTION:[ A] Personal details

1. Level of Education

g)      Primary (   )

h)      Certificate (  )

i)        Diploma (  )

j)        Bachelor Degree (  )

k)      Master’s  (  )

l)        PhD (  )

       2. Sex.     Male (  )             Female (  )

   3. Age:

d)     17-20 years (  )

e)      21-25 years (  )

f)       26 above     (  )

      4. Working experience

a) 1-5          (  )  

b) 6-10        (  )

c) 11 above (  )

SECTION: [B] QUESTIONS

Do you know anything about street children?

c)      Yes [     ]

d)     No   [     ]

If Yes state how ……………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Is there any factor cause the street children? Mention at least three (3) causes

…………………………………………………………………................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

3. What are the causes of street children problems   in Mtwara mikindani Municipality?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. What are the effects of street children? Mention at least three (3) effects

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............

5. What your suggestions to the government to overcome the street children problem

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Research Timeline Chart

YEARS

2018

2019

ACTIVITIES

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Submission of research title

Preparation of research proposal

Submission of research proposal

Surveying the area

Data collection

Data analysis and interpretation

Writing research report

Submission of research report