PHENOMENON OF SO-CALLED SHEGUE CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF KISANGANI (TSHOPO PROVINCE)/DRC

Authors: Boele Losuna Justin, Mapano Mandi Charly, Bolaya Likango Nadhy & Lingule Kayomba Jimmy

ABSTRACT

The problem of children living on the streets is a social phenomenon of great concern for all our nations, the richest as well as the poorest. This reality has no borders today, it has undergone mutations and has become more complex due to a constellation of recurring or emerging social factors.

The major question mark for all the countries concerned remains the effective strategy for reducing the phenomenon. States have always developed and applied strategies of multiple associations, have made efforts, but the observation that emerges is the increase in the phenomenon, coupled with the early age of entry into the street, and the tendency for a number of children to take root in the social space.

This reflection is based on the following questions: What are the reasons for the flow of the Shegue phenomenon in the city of Kisangani? What are the antidotes against the Shegue phenomenon in the city of Kisangani? This research assigns two objectives:, in particular to explain the reasons for the spread of the Shegue phenomenon in the city of Kisangani and to propose antidotes against this phenomenon.

We used the structural-functional method and the systemic approach, supported by the techniques of disengaged direct observation, documentary and directive interviewing. We used non-probability purposive sampling. After putting this methodology to music, we came up with the results according to which the causes of the flow of the Shegue phenomenon in the city of Kisangani are the poverty of their parents, the atrocities of the war, the divorce of the parents, the death of their parents and the search for money. The antidotes to this phenomenon are in particular the increase in decent wages for parents, the creation of children’s accommodation centres by the State; the creation of children’s recovery schools, raising awareness among parents and parents’ love or affection for children.

Keywords: Phenomen, reintegration, social, shegue child.

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