www.ijsrp.org Problems Experienced by Adolescent Street Children in

Abstract- This study is part of a broad research that sought to establish the counseling needs of adolescent street kids and in Harare Central Business District. This paper looks at the major problems experienced by adolescent street children in Harare streets. The representative sample drawn comprised of 40 street kids who were receiving some assistance from four non-governmental organizations and 8 officials from the organizations. A qualitative descriptive survey was used to guide the methodology. Data was collected using questionnaires and structured interviews for officials and the street kids respectively. Qualitative data analysis with descriptive statistics was used in the presentation and analysis of data. The study found out that the children faced problems with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and municipal police. There was also rampant bullying that was experienced by street kids. The study recommended the need to establish supervised ‘safe houses ’ near city center that do not seem to relegate street children to areas where they should work for their upkeep. The police need to be conscientised of the need to treat the street children humanly and not treat them as criminals. Index Terms- street kids, non- governmental organisations, counselling, counselling needs, Harare I