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Supporting the children that wander the streets of Pointe-Noire
In the past few decades, the Congo has seen a profound social and economic structural crisis, aggravated by a series of devastating armed conflicts between 1993 and 2003. The countryís two main cities, Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, have been affected by anarchical urban development, the impoverishment of a large amount of the population, the deterioration of the family structure, and a break with traditional community solidarity. The number of children living on the street in Pointe-Noire can be estimated at 400.
Since 2005, samusocialInternational
has been assisting in the establishment of an emergency aid structure
meant to benefit the children living on the streets of Pointe-Noire,
at the request of the municipality. A structure bound to local law,
samusocialPointe-Noire was created
in January 2006. It launched its first mobile team in April 2006,
and plans to develop its missions in the coming months.
Assuring the regular presence of mobile aid teams on the street
In order to bring appropriate medical, psychological, and social emergency
assistance to street children, a mobile aid team goes out to encounter
them three nights per week; as of autumn 2006, they will operate on
a daily basis. Furthermore, this action, which tends primarily to
benefit boys, will be strengthened by a new assistance aimed specifically
at young girls on the streets. Finally, rounds will be done during
the day, as a compliment to the nocturnal activities, in order to
ensure a permanent presence of the medical and social partner institutions.
A child receives medical treatment in the van during one of the organizationís night rounds
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Young Congolese boys enjoying a meal provided by samusocialPointe-Noire.
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Strengthening the capabilities of partner structures
In order to optimize the aid brought to these children, samusocialPointe-Noire is planning to rely on a network of local partners which it will access, encourage, structure and give form to. This will permit it to both work in collaboration with institutions whose activities compliment its own, and also offer help tailored to the needs of children.
Opening of an overnight shelter
samusocialPointe-Noire will be
opening an overnight shelter that will allow the most vulnerable of
children to be housed and to benefit from a combination of individualized
medical and psychological assistance. This mission is crucial in order
to begin a process of reconstruction with each child.
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