Why street? Why don´t they return home?

There are reasons why young people in ages that range from 7 up to 18 choose to live on the street rather than at home. Some leave because they frankly don´t have space at home, some of them are even chased away because of poverty. But it is not happening only because of poverty and economical reasons. Some maybe are beaten and treated badly by parents, stepmothers or stepfathers. These kids who are not accepting bad treatment, neglect of care, they are the ones who leave.
They are often the strong ones.
In Mwanza there are some centers for street youth under 18 years. Not all of the youth on the street can be offered places. Many of them have problems to adapt to the life in a center and therefor run away.

We want to give these young boys and girls a chance to regain trust in adults and the community!
We want to give them a chance to reach their potential!


Roots & Culture Foundation is a community of painters in Mwanza, supporting street youth. For the moment they have 8 young boys attending workshops in african traditional painting. Some of these boys are still living on the street and some are supported with room rent by Roots and Culture. The plan is to be able to support all of them with basic needs, health check ups and schooling. But with the income the painters get from selling paintings they are not able to support all of them.

During workshops the boys get food for the day and food for life, so to speak. Confident relations are built. Skills for a future independent life are given.

We have seen the changes in this youth, attending the workshops. The changes are remarkable. Many of the boys were feared by others on the street before, but are now acting totally opposite. Now they are welcoming, open and communicative.

On the picture above: Chia
On the left: Sasi





Would you like to give one of these boys a chance?
You can sponsor one of them with an amount of  30-50 € / month.

Find us on Facebook!
or contact us via e-mail: info@mwembeafrica.com
Roots & Culture:
Joseph Mwandwanga mwandwanga@gmail.com
Abdallah Matongo matongo2009@yahoo.co.uk