Not being accepted at home, low tolerance of family members and freedom are the reasons street dwellers return to the streets

Not being accepted back at home, struggling to be reintegrated back into family life, low tolerance of family members, and having the freedom to do anything are some of the reasons that street dwellers return to the streets and refuse to return to their families.

While responding to fijivillage News, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says this is mainly due to street dwellers being expected to follow a set of accepted behaviour at homes, language and hygiene by families, finding their partner living on the streets, families do not accept their partner and their spending being monitored as they have other individuals to think of rather than spending money on cigarettes and alcohol.

The Ministry further says that street dwellers is not a social issue but a global issue, and no one has a perfect system.

They also say when dealing with individuals and their behaviour, people must be willing to change as the ministry deals with a complex issue to change a behaviour or to rehabilitate someone. The Ministry says the issue needs the whole approach from the society.

They say until we recognise this important aspect, the police can execute the law, Health Ministry can provide medical treatment, and the Ministry of Social Protection can provide social assistance, but at the end of the day, the family needs to be willing to accept them.

While highlighting the challenges, the Ministry says funding is a major concern as most of the work done is based on the goodwill of business houses, government bodies, faith-based organisations and civil society organisations.