The problems and coping strategies of street children in Dar es Salaam

This study focused on problems and coping strategies of street children in Dar es Salaam City. The previous studies on the street children focused on the causes of street children, rehabilitating street children, community attitudes toward street children, and evaluation of services rendered ti street children. Much has been done on street children in Tanzania. However, nothing has been done on daily nad specific problems of the street children and their own coping strategies in Tanzania in general and in Dar es salaam city in particular. This study is, therefore aimed at attempting to bridge the gap. The main research objectives were to identify the daily problems facing street children and to uncover the strategies which street children themselves used to cope with those problems. To achieve this, the researcher used in-depth interview, observation and documentary review. Descriptive case study was used to analyze the research tasks with coherent with research questions. The data collected were subjected to content analysis. The main themes were identified and analyzed. Some of the information obtained was converted int simple percentages for description and conclusion. The study found that police harassment and beating, violence, lack of shelter and food, lack of health services as well as lack of affection were some of the problems facing street children. Despite these problem, in the process of self-affirmation, street children adopted survival strategies on the streets. They clustered in groups, earned and spent money. They also had a realistic view of their environment, and embarked on religious coping, self-control, adoptive distancing, self-efficacy, and the use of marijuana. The study recommends that street deserve children respect; they resourceful and determined people and so the government and community at large should ensure that when street children are arrested they should not be mixed with adult offenders, which exposes them to physical violence and sexual abuse.