Migration through the Child’s Eyes

Imagine being completely alone. Strange faces, not sure where to look, just a mission to follow the crowd. You have nothing but hope and fear. Fear of everything you may not know, fear of not knowing what to expect, but hope to survive. Each child who leaves or who is sent by families to migrate faces this possibility and often results in much worse.

The three governments of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have taken a stand and are working together in a cross-border collaboration in hopes of providing more care and safety to unaccompanied migrant children. (Makhubu) With the children in their mind, eyes, and heart their efforts are towards getting them away from the dangerous and scary life of a child migrant.

The main reason children are migrating to South Africa is for safety and protection, fleeing the violence of where they came from. However, most tend to be faced with more violence as they make their way across the central Mediterranean migration route. This route, a very common one, is controlled by many filthy people with intentions purely to prey on children either trafficking or stealing from them (Philippines News Agency) Since this is the only route able to most traveling to South Africa, this creates a huge issue, as many children probably don't even make it to where they set out to have a better opportunity. Children are routinely victims of sexual violence, exploitation, abuse and detention along this route (Philippines News Agency)  So many suffer when most only have the hope for a better opportunity and survival. As well, when they do reach the border, many are placed into detention centers while they wait. They are faced with a lack of shelter, food, ultimately bleak and overcrowded circumstances. (Philippines News Agency). This demonstrates the brutal realities that migrants face, even as children, with no means to fend for themselves.

There are many programs that are put in place to help migrant children, but due to restrictions, many children are still abandoned to the streets. Out of the universal population, about 25.4% of children are migrant children (Golden). However, if we look at South Africa’s percentage of 57% of children are migrant children, making the odds that one in two children living in Africa is migrant children (Golden). This illustrates the scale of this issue, as one would think with child care organizations would be able to make more of an impact. This issue lies mainly on the legitimacy of the child in South Africa, and their documentation status. Many programs are only required or even permitted to help if the child meets certain guidelines by the state, which for many is impossible to do.

Many migrant children in South Africa are found and are being helped and taken care of by the government and different organizations. However, the lack of protection and care for migrant children remains a persisting issue in South Africa. Until change has occurred to the underlying root of the issue, countless children will still endure the life of a migrant alone.

Annotated Bibliography:

"Judgment Impinges On Children's Rights [editorial]." allAfrica.com, 1 Aug. 2016. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A459626464/GIC?u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=3b4b4a88. Accessed 12 Mar. 2019. This editorial summarizes the importance of children’s rights out of wedlock, as many are robbed of their inheritance because of their positions. Being a child born out of wedlock is seen as illegitimate to many as it did use to be in several places, however, though illegitimate, this article argues that any child deserves the same rights. Discussing the idea that all children deserve to have the same opportunities no matter what. This source I found from the database, through the Global Issues in Context website. This informs me that the source is credible because these sources have already been screened, as well it was an editorial off of a series of court rulings, making it credible as many statements and quotes were backed by the law. As well, I don’t think the article is biased because it does discuss both sides that are possible views on the situation of children's rights out of wedlock. They explain the motives one might have and why this is an issue needing attention.

"Migrant children's rights in southern Africa will be focus Who is involved; Co-operation between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe." Star [South Africa], 16 Aug. 2013, p. 10. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A345911294/GICu=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=715258f7 . Accessed 12 Mar. 2019. This article on children’s migrant rights was very powerful and moving as it described the three-year project that is going on, with three countries governments being involved as well. It explains the motives behind helping the children from abuse and violence out alone on the streets. As well, they ensure the comfort and safety of the children after they are returned, making sure they have good opportunities ahead of them.I found this source as well through the Global Issues in Context database, where everything is filtered to better find credible sources. As well, the article was supported with pieces from the constitution as well, it is written about a current project as a way to inform and inspire others. I would not say it is not biased as this project is being done by three different countries governments with their best interest in the children.

"SA Takes On Plight of Undocumented Migrant Children." allAfrica.com, 19 Oct. 2017. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A510306085/GIC

u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=a3974eb9 . Accessed 14 Mar. 2019. This article gives us a peek into the corruption and challenges with the government of Africa. We learn that organizations trying to help may report that they are migrant but they will not report the age or if they are traveling alone, making it hard to gain evidence for more protection laws to be put in place. As well the author covers one of the major push factors of safety or lack thereof in a country. Many children migrate to South Africa to get somewhere safer, however, it is also very easy for these children to get into much worse and dangerous situations, which is what the goal is to prevent. I found this source through the database on the library website, and it seems to be pretty credible as it mentions different organizations and what has been done to try and help this issue. As well, the websites fo9und through the database are screened for credibility prior. I wouldn’t say that this source is very biased because though they are advocating for children's rights, the author never picks sides. As well, it is more of an explanation of what is the current situation of migrant children’s rights and includes government information and decisions.

Ke Yu "Migrant Children Buck the Trend When It Comes to Mother Tongue Teaching." allAfrica.com, 20 Feb. 2019. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A575048461/GIC?u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=3e5e4c93 . Accessed 14 Mar. 2019. This article depicts the struggle migrant children face because of their environment and surroundings. The basis is the language barrier that prevents many children from participating and being involved in the school, as well as declining education rates as a result. The author advocates that the best way to help these children comes from the parents and their influence over their children. For if one provides support, hope, and standards, their child will be raised with better values which they believe will reflect in education rates. I found this source through the Global Issues in Context database, and Ke Yu, the author of this article, is credited to the University of Johannesburg. This shows he has some credentials as well, there was cited evidence to support his claim. I would say this source is a little biased in the sense that the author sees one solution to the problem, and the setting expectations part is contrary to some people’s beliefs. However, there is no strong persuasion against or for immigrants, just a solution to a problem.

"Child migrants seen on deadly journey from North Africa to Europe, UN agency warns." Philippines News Agency, 1 Mar. 2017. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A484117379/GIC?u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=d06be51e. Accessed 22 Mar. 2019. This article helps one to see through the perspective of the refugee, as the author doesn’t hide the brutalities they face through their travel. The amount of violence and abuse among these paths that they migrate through is unreal. Some try and pay people ahead so they don’t get robbed or assaulted, but that doesn't always happen. As well as providing awareness to these issues that these lone children are facing. The author touches on what could be done to help. Mainly another safer route of migration instilled and enforced by the government, as this article advocates for support and encouragement of migration from the government. I found this source through the Global Issues in Context database, where everything is filtered to better find credible sources. Though this was published through the Philippines News Agency, most of the information and thoughts is from UNICEF which is a credible organization that is trying to help these children and provide them with more safety. As well, I don’t think this source is biased as it seems more of an article to provide awareness for this issue, rather than convincing one that there is an issue.

Lisa Golden "Do 'Vast Numbers' of Refugee and Migrant Children Rely On SA Social Services? [analysis]." allAfrica.com, 18 Aug. 2016. Global Issues in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A460974120/GIC?u=los42754&sid=GIC&xid=6fb997bb. Accessed 22 Mar. 2019. This article explores the credibility and claim of another article, with the author providing strong and compelling factual evidence. The author argues that migrant and refugee children don’t rely on social services as much as they are deemed to be. There is lots of information and statistics shown surrounding different service organizations as well as programs and laws instituted by the government. However, through examining everything, one can see there are plenty of resources, but those that are left undocumented or have little information in the legal system, often don’t even get the opportunity for help, despite the laws put in place aimed to prevent that. This article pushes one to see past what is being done, and see what impact that is having and if it is helping or not. As this article is arguing another claim, making it seem not very credible, in fact, the author used a lot of evidence through statistics and information on organizations to support her argument. As well, I found this source through the Global Issues in Context database, where things are filtered to better narrow down credible sources. I would say that this article as well isn’t biased, because the claims she made were off of statistics she found, and this article was more informative than persuasive.