Close to 20 people including children as young as 9 sleep under the Stinson Bridge in Suva every night

Close to 20 people including children as young as 9 to 10 years old sleep under the Stinson Bridge in Suva City every night as they say they do not want to return home or do not have a family home to go to.

Fijivillage spoke to some of these street kids last night.

A 14 year old boy told us that he was on the streets and sleeping under the bridge from when he was about 11 years old. He says he is living on the streets mainly because of peer pressure. The boy says he used to live in Qauia and Makoi, and when he goes home, he is accepted a bit.

He says they used to sleep at Thurston Garden, and get their meals by asking for money and ‘hustling’.

Another boy who is 10 had to live in these trying circumstances after his mother passed away and father left their home. Their house was also burnt down.

A boy aged 10 has also joined the group after his parents got separated. He says he was staying in Narere with his grandparents but left after they were struggling to put food on the table. Initially, the boy was getting money and going home but he later decided to live on the streets.

The boys say Police tell them to go home however some of them cannot go back as they are not accepted by their families.

Some of the boys also smelt of drugs and glue.

Questions have been sent to the Ministry of Children and Police. Stay with us for developments.