Across the Philippines, children in street situations (CISS) face complex challenges that threaten their basic rights to survival, development, protection, and participation. From exposure to violence and discrimination to limited access to education, healthcare, and safe shelter, these children often navigate harsh realities that hinder their overall growth and well-being.
Recognizing these challenges, nongovernment organizations like Childhope Philippines have long advocated for the welfare of street children, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected. Central to this advocacy is the Leadership-Aspiring Youth Team (LAYT), a group of young leaders committed to amplifying the stories and struggles of children in street situations.
In this article, we will explore the experiences of CISS in the Philippines, the efforts of LAYT in supporting them, and how your support for Childhope’s advocacy can help create a safer and more hopeful future for street children.
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Who are Children in Street Situations (CISS)—and Why Their Stories Matter
Children in street situations, commonly referred to as street children, are those who either live on the streets, work there, or depend on the streets for survival. According to the United Nations, these children are often disconnected from family support systems and face barriers to accessing basic services such as healthcare and education. Many are forced to earn a living through informal jobs like selling goods, scavenging, or begging, often in unsafe and exploitative environments.
In the Philippines, the issue surrounding street children is deeply intertwined with structural factors such as poverty, limited access to education, and a lack of social safety nets. According to estimates, thousands of children roam urban centers, particularly in Metro Manila, where they are vulnerable to abuse, malnutrition, and neglect. The challenges they face, ranging from hunger and health risks to social stigma and exclusion, highlight the urgent need for comprehensive support systems and targeted interventions.
Their stories matter because they represent a call to action: a reminder of the inequalities that persist in society and the shared responsibility to protect every child’s right to safety, education, and a brighter future. Understanding the realities of CISS is the first step toward creating meaningful change.
LAYT’s Heartfelt Mission in Empowering and Advocating for CISS
The Leadership-Aspiring Youth Team (LAYT) is a youth-led initiative under Childhope Philippines that empowers young people, many of whom are former street children themselves, to advocate for the rights of CISS. Through leadership training, capacity-building workshops, and community outreach activities, LAYT equips its members to raise awareness, engage in dialogue, and promote positive change for children living and working on the streets.
LAYT’s work extends beyond advocacy. The group actively participates in national and global observances such as the International Day of Children in Street Situations, helping amplify the voices of CISS in policy discussions and public forums. They also conduct educational sessions on children’s rights, as detailed in Childhope’s Children’s Rights Awareness program, which aims to empower street children to understand and assert their rights.
The strength of LAYT lies in its members—young advocates who have experienced the realities of street life and now work to ensure others do not have to face the same challenges. Their mission is not only to raise awareness but also to inspire action within communities, policymakers, and potential supporters.
Statement from LAYT Officers and Members on Their Situation
In a recent statement posted on Facebook dated April 13, 2025, LAYT officers and members shared their concerns about the growing number of children in street situations in the Philippines. They emphasized that many CISS are unable to enjoy their basic rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.
According to their statement, many CISS experience malnutrition, which affects their physical and medical condition as children. This is connected to global issues of poverty and education. Many CISS choose to remain on the streets because it is where they live, work, and find their livelihood. However, they also face discrimination and abuse, which result in fear and anxiety in their daily lives.
LAYT urges fellow youth to be aware of the struggles of CISS, advocating for greater protection of their rights and well-being. Their message highlights the importance of collective action to address the root causes of inequality and provide meaningful support to children in street situations.
Below is the statement in its entirety:
CHILDHOPE PHILIPPINES
Kalagayan ng mga CISS April 12, 2025
Ang bilang ng children in street situations (CISS) ay tumataas dahil sa kalagayan ng kanilang nararanasan sa ating bansa. Ang CISS ay mga batang naglalagi o nakatira sa lansangan. Ang mga suliranin na kinahaharap ng mga CISS ay nakaka-apekto sa pagtamasa ng kanilang karapatan. Hinggil sa kanilang karapatang pambata ang mga ito ay may karapatang mabuhay, makilahok, umunlad, at maproteksyonan. Ngunit maraming CISS ay hindi natatamasa ang mga ito.
Isa sa mga kanilang nararanasan ay ang malnutrisyon kung saan nakaka-apekto sa kanilang kalagayang pisikal at medikal bilang isang bata. Maiuugnay rin dito ang problemang kinahaharap ng buong mundo pagdating sa kahirapan at edukasyon. Marami sa mga CISS ang pinipiling nasa lansangan sa kadahilanang naririto ang kanilang tirahan, hanapbuhay, at kanila ring pamumuhay. Hinggil sa kahirapan na kanilang nararanasan marami rin sa kanila ang nakakaranas ng pang-aabuso at diskriminasyon na nagreresulta ng kanilang takot at pangamba ukol sa kanilang pang araw-araw na pamumuhay.
Mahalaga na bilang isang kabataan nararapat na tayo ay may kamalayan sa nararanasan ng mga CISS ukol sa kanilang kalagayan at suliranin na hinaharap. Mahalaga ring bigyan sila ng kahalagahan pagdating sa kanilang pagtamasa ng kani-kanilang mga karapatan at benepisyo bilang isang bata.
-Opisyal na pahayag mula sa LAYT officers and members
[CHILDHOPE PHILIPPINES
Situation of the CISS April 12, 2025
The number of children in street situations (CISS) is increasing due to the situation they are experiencing in our country. CISS are children who stay or live on the streets. The problems faced by CISS affect their enjoyment of their rights. Regarding their rights as children, they have the right to live, participate, develop, and be protected. But many CISS do not have the luxury to experience these.
One of the things they undergo instead is malnutrition which affects their physical and medical condition as a child. This can also be linked to the problems faced by the whole world when it comes to poverty and education. Many of the CISS choose to remain on the streets because this serves as their habitat, place of work, and their way of life. Due to the hardships they experience, many of them also experience abuse and discrimination which results in their fear and apprehension in their daily lives.
As youths, it is imperative that we are cognizant of what CISS are experiencing, regarding their situation and the challenges that lay ahead of them. It is also important to prioritize their welfare when it comes to them enjoying their rights and benefits as children.
-Official statement from LAYT officers and members]
Why Your Support for Childhope’s Advocacy Can Change Lives
Addressing the challenges faced by CISS requires sustained advocacy, community involvement, and the commitment of organizations like Childhope Philippines. Through our programs and projects such as KalyEskwela, psychosocial interventions, and basic literacy sessions, Childhope provides vital support to street children by offering access to education, life skills training, mental health services, and other resources that help them navigate the difficulties of street life.
Supporting Childhope’s advocacy means investing in programs that not only provide immediate assistance but also empower children to build better futures. Your donation can help fund holistic learning opportunities, provide essential healthcare, and ensure that more children receive the support they need to break free from the cycle of poverty and exclusion.
Be Part of the Hope and Support Our Advocacy for Street Children Today
Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where their rights are respected. By supporting Childhope Philippines, you help provide children in street situations with access to education, healthcare, and essential services that can transform their lives.
Visit Childhope’s donation page to learn how you can make a difference. Together, we have the power to create a future where no child is left behind.