THE PERCEPTION OF STREET CHILDREN TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN FENOTE SELAM TOWN, AMHARA REGION

Abstract

This study has described the perception of street children towards the community and social events organized by the community members in Finote Selam Town, Amhara region. Cross-sectional research design and qualitative research approach was used utilizing case study research strategy. The data sources were both primary and secondary data sources. For this study, a total of 21 street children and 6 key informants were included. Thus, 12 street children and 6 key informants has participated in Focus Group Discussion held in three separate groups. 9 street children were participated in semi structured interview. Systematic non-participant observation and focus group discussion with two groups of twelve street children was also done. Data was analyzed manually using thematic analysis. The major finding of this study reveals that the perception of street children towards different groups of people and various events in the community varies based on the nature of treatment they receive from them. Recommendations include that the Ethiopian government should vehemently work on the prevention of violation of basic human rights that are being committed by members of the law enforcement agency against street children, establish juvenile detention centers with all the necessary infrastructure and personnel for children who committed crime, the community should be actively participating to bring a favorable changes in the perception of street children towards the community, the labor and social affairs bureau and bureau of women, children, and youth affairs need to heavily invest in changing the living conditions of families of street children and street children themselves .