This past yuletide, we chanced upon a few people on the hook of streetism and they had no plan of doing anything special at Christmas. The effect of lack and self-pity had completely deleted any iota of Christmas celebration from their innermost brain cells. The unavoidable feelings of pain, hunger and despair had taken over their every attempt to sleep or stay awake. Every moment spent in slumber was treasured; knowing full well that waking up is could foment thoughts of suicide.

No one ever wishes to be seen on the streets, hustling under the scorching sun with all the risks involved, not knowing what the outcome of the day would be. No one will deliberately decide to sleep on the streets with all the dangers involved unless there is little or no option. And as inhumane as people could be, we still believe no one would deliberately push anyone on the streets to fend for themselves when there is a means of survival. Most often when you listen to the people who find themselves in such situations, the story is simple, they have to find a means of survival if they want an honest hustle.

At starlight, we believe given the right opportunity, these kids, women, and men who find themselves on the streets would make better choices and make a better living. With a long-term project of building a training center to house some of these street children, we believe we need to start by making them feel wanted.