Background

Due to poverty and abuse at home, all too many children in South Africa leave home and find themselves living on the street. Some are fortunate to find refuge in Children's Homes where they are given food, clothes, an education and a chance to rebuild their lives.The current situation is that at the age of 18 years, the state withdraws their funding, effectively forcing these individuals to vacate the Children’s Home and return to their communities. At this stage it is hoped that these young men would have the education and life skills necessary to access tertiary education or find employment. The reality, however, is quite different.

Having lived on the street for some time, their schooling is incomplete and their education and job training options are extremely limited. With little education and, therefore, very few job options, these young adults are forced to return to their families, who, in some cases, have not resolved the problems that caused them to leave home in the first place. Aside from returning to a difficult environment, they are expected to support both themselves and their families. It is for this reason that, even after years of stability at a children's home, many of these young adults are forced to return to the streets.

Project Lungisela is our attempt to prevent this vicious cycle from continuing.