Life on the streets means facing enormous challenges every day. Homeless children have no safe haven. They are exposed to violence, drugs, arbitrary treatment, and crime. Often, they don't attend school, and medical care is denied to them. With your help, we advocate for these children: We offer protection and care, provide legal advice, psychosocial support and healthcare, and offer educational opportunities.
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"When children's rights are violated, or they have to live on the streets, there is no excuse for it. Together with Terre des Hommes , I am committed to ensuring that children and young people get their childhood back."
Street children - facts and figures
For 100 million children, the street is their home
- An estimated 33 million homeless children worldwide live permanently on the streets without their parents.
- There are around 19 million street children in India alone. Approximately 10,000 of them live homeless and without parents in major cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
- Approximately 500,000 children in Peru live on the streets for most of the day.
- Around 4,000 children are homeless and left to fend for themselves in Johannesburg.
- Around 9,000 children, teenagers and young adults in Germany spend most of their day on the street.
Definition of children whose life is centered on the street
Children living on the streets spend most of their time in public spaces, often to earn money. They are homeless or without permanent housing. This means they live on the streets either permanently or part-time, staying in temporary shelters or with acquaintances. Many children and young people live on the streets without their parents or other family members and are completely on their own. They often lack access to healthy food, education, medical care, or legal assistance.
How we help
Our goal is to support children in strengthening their rights and to offer them a positive outlook on life. We are committed to sustainably improving children's living conditions through preventative measures and comprehensive support.
Support and intervention in families affected by violence and poverty should improve living conditions before children are forced to flee to the streets.
We provide support with healthy food, clothing and psychological care to meet the immediate needs of street children.
Educational opportunities and age-appropriate ways to generate income help street children develop a long-term perspective.