The most vulnerable group in Tanzania is the children. There are more than 900,000-orphaned children in Tanzania and sexual exploitation of the under-aged exists, however there are no reliable figures available. 

Why do the children end up on the streets? The reasons are many. AIDS is one largest causes of death and unless there are relatives to take care of the children, they will finally end up on the streets. Shattered family conditions where children escape from situations at home, where assault occurs. Other children are sent to the large cities to work and often remain. 

Poor access to medicines and economy prevent parents with AIDS from getting the care they need. The children often end up with their mother or paternal grandparents; however they are not always capable of taking on the task. 

Assault on children is a big problem. The elders do not often feel that they are doing something wrong and the children often think that it is how things should be, they are brought up to obey their elders regardless. If they have suffered this, there is little chance of their being believed as the elder’s word is of more weight and it is not often openly discussed that they can be strongly punished for their “lies”. 

When parents can no longer support their family and themselves, they often send their children out to work. Once they have learned to like the city, they are easily presented with the possibilities of making fast money. Boys often become criminal and the girls sell their bodies. These children are between 12 and 16 years of age. 

The children of Tanzania grow fast psychologically and have great responsibilities that they cannot shoulder. The minimum age for marriage is 15 year of age for girls and 18 years for boys. Parts of the Indian population and local customs practices in Tanzania allow girls to be promised for marriage at the early age of 12. What does one know about marriage and being a wife at the age of 12? What did you do between the ages of 12 – 15? 

I am today going on 26 years and I feel, no I know, that I have a lot to learn about life, parenting and about myself. I am presently engaged and will in time marry, however I have been given the chance of being a child and even if the government counts me as being an adult, there is a lot of knowledge to learn before I see myself as being adult. 

The question I ask myself every day is, why can’t the Swedish system work in Tanzania? One day I hope to find the answers. Couse I want to give a better life for the children of Tanzania