United Kingdom
Established in 2020, Cheka Sana UK functions as an integral part of Cheka Sana Foundation in full support of the organization’s mission and values.
Cheka Sana UK’s purpose is to provide high quality direction, support and advisory services to Cheka Sana’s country offices and the wider organisation in relation to accessing UK, European and Global funding, growing Cheka Sana’s portfolio and therefore its influence over policy, and building productive partnerships and contributing talent, knowledge and expertise toward Cheka Sana’s overall excellence and competitiveness.
Tanzania
Cheka Sana has been working with and for street children for over a decade in Tanzania, East Africa. Although reliable figures on the issue of street connected children are hard to obtain due to the volatile and sometimes mobile nature, the UN estimates the number of street children around the world to be in the hundreds of millions.
Recent statistics gathered in six major cities in Tanzania (of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, and Mwanza) through the head-count of street-connected children funded by the RCA, USAID and DFID, identified thousands of children under the age of 18 living and working on the streets of Tanzanian cities alone.
Uganda
We’ve been working in Uganda since 2020 to support children and young people working and living alone on the streets of Uganda.
In Uganda, despite the enormity of the challenge, there is a death of reliable data on the actual number of street-connected children because no specific comprehensive headcount as this has ever been done.
How we work
Investing in the local organisation
We believe that Cheka Sana Tanzania and Uganda are closest to context and are best placed to find solutions to the problems face street-connected children in their countries.
We will invest in these unsung heroes, the organisations who share our vision for change.
Engaging real experience
We believe sharing street children’s own stories, and experiences can drive positive change, we want to listen, learn from, and better share this experience through our platforms and shifting perception
Learning
We believe by sharing evidence and insight, we can drive change, and continuously innovate, adapt and improve what we do.
Influencing
We believe by championing and convening alongside others, and we can contribute to shifting local perception, holding governments responsible and accelerating changes in attitudes, policies and practices on the issues we care about.
Current Core Issues
The real impact requires focus; so we focus on three key issue areas in East Africa (Tanzania and Uganda). We’ve named these:
Street Born Project
Tragically, in 2018 Mwanza city has 1940 children and youths living and working on the streets. Of those about 418 female street-involved youth/sex workers were identified and about 218 of female were below 18 years. This is an increase of 229% since 2014.
A Safe place to call home
We believe every child should have a safe, secure and decent place to call home
Leticia’s story encapsulates, the key factors pivotal in finding an indefinite solution for street children in Tanzania
Sport for change
We believe sport and physical activity has the power to shifting perception and bring about positive social change for street children and communities
Improving Mental Health
Sexual and mental health problems are on the increase world-wise especially among street children
Discover more
Donate today
If you believe that no child should have to live on the streets alone and that all children should grow up feeling loved with a sense of belonging, then please donate and support our work.