President Edgar Lungu has officially recognized and acknowledged the Zambia National Service – ZNS for its unprecedented efforts which will eventually culminate into the end of “street kids” in Zambia.
Speaking during the State Of the Nation Address – SONA today 12 February 2021, President Lungu stated that his government is addressing the plight of children living on the streets.
The head of state singled out efforts by the Zambia National Service – ZNS for providing camps for skills training for adolescents removed from the streets. He stated further that the ZNS program empowers former street and vulnerable youths through character transformation and skills training.
President Lungu stated that “ since 2018, about 2,000 street children have been removed from the streets and reintegrated into society. The training received include carpentry, General Agriculture, metal fabrication, bricklaying, tailoring and designing”.
ZNS which was once a youth National Service has been charged with the responsibility to use its vast infrastructure and agricultural land to utilize the nation’s demographic dividend.
ZNS in 2020 alone targeted 1,100 adolescents out of which 350 boys commenced their training at Chiwoko ZNS camp in Katete, eastern province while the 500 boys and 250 girls will this year commence their training at Chishimba and Kitwe ZNS training camps.
President Lungu stated that “ this exercise of ending streetism among children from disadvantaged families in our society using ZNS is a glowing success and unprecedented”. See also See other ZBT articles on street kids plight
