At Future of Africa we believe in the power of community. Broken relationships mend when we reunite children and youth with their families, and children and youth thrive when their loved ones accept and embrace them.
Harriet Adobea (3rd from left) reunited with her family at Yensiso, 60 miles from Accra's streets
When kids find themselves alone on the streets, they often lose touch with their families, going months or even years without seeing or hearing from them. At Future of Africa (FOA), we saw how important it is for these children to reconnect with their loved ones. So, we made it our mission to find them.
Through our Miahaya program, we've been able to bring 55 children back home over the last six years. It's been incredibly rewarding to see these broken bonds mended and trust rebuilt.
When we meet a child living on the streets, we start gathering information to track down their family. It's a complex process that involves careful planning and teamwork. We dig deep to learn about the child's background and any family ties they might have. Then, we set out to find their family or guardian. Sometimes, families have moved away, but we don't give up. Our dedicated staff and volunteers go the extra mile to locate them, using innovative methods to make sure no child is left behind.
Abigail Larweh (2nd from right) reunited with her family at Somanya, 47.8 miles from Accra's streets
Emmanuel Nyamekye (1st from left) reunited with his family at Kasoa, 19.9 miles from Accra's streets
Stephen Plettey (2nd from right) reunited with his family at Bawjiase, 47miles from Accra's streets
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If it was not for FOA, I would not have seen my family for more than 3 years
Reuniting street children with their families isn't always smooth sailing. Many kids left home because they were in abusive situations or afraid of getting in trouble. This makes bringing them back together tricky.
Plus, families often struggle with things like not having enough money or access to education and healthcare, which can keep them apart and make it hard for kids to go back home. For kids who have been through really tough times, like abuse or neglect, rebuilding trust with their families is super tough.
It takes a lot of patience, understanding, and talking things out to make it work. Sometimes, families worry that their child has picked up bad habits from being on the streets, like using drugs. But we help them see that with support, these kids can heal and find their way back.
Our work is even more powerful when we team up with the kids' families. We want to understand why the kids left home and help fix any problems there. By working together with parents, we can make a big difference in these kids' lives.
Benjamin Eshun (3rd from left) reunited with his family at Nkawkaw, 53 miles from Accra's streets
Reuniting children with their families is a game-changer, bringing back that feeling of belonging, safety, and hope for everyone involved. For the kids, it means finding their way back to the people who love them, escaping the dangers of street life, and getting a shot at a brighter tomorrow. And for the families, it's about patching things up, finding forgiveness, and starting fresh.
FOA's support gives parents and guardians the chance to give the kind of love and care every child deserves, making our communities stronger and tighter-knit.Plus, bringing families back together isn't just about getting them in the same room—it's about helping them heal.
Our staff use experiences from reuniting families to come up with special activities that help kids deal with any tough stuff they've been through at home. And even after they're back home, we keep the support coming, making sure families stay connected and kids keep thriving.
After all, every child belongs in family. Even though it's tough work, we're not backing down. With hearts full of compassion, courage, and a belief in the power of family, we're sticking to our mission. Bringing street kids back home isn't just what we do—it's who we are. And we won't stop until every child has the chance to grow up where they belong: with family by their side.
We will continue building a world where no child ever has to face the streets alone.
March 6th, 2024
Sandra Ateliya (2nd from right) reunited with her mother at Bolgatanga, 482 miles from Accra's streets
Justice (2nd from right) reunited with his parents at Ashiaman, 14.3 miles from Accra's streets
Clement Amenyo (2nd from left) reunited with his family at Lakeside,16.2 miles from Accra's streets