A new centre has opened its doors to street children in the Abyei Area, welcoming a first group of 50 young people.  

The “Droop” centre is located at Mabony village and aims to help orphans or neglected children of destitute families, many of whom live on the streets in Aniet market.

Abyei Today newsletter reports that the centre is a joint project between Save the Children and the Abyei social welfare office, and is sponsored by UNICEF.

According to Karima Athoni Madut, a child protection officer working for Save the Children, the centre aims to help children learn to live a more normal live, so they could hopefully go back to live with other members of their families.

She says they will be given vocational training.

The acting director for Abyei social welfare, Alor Kuol Miyen, pointed out that the centre was still lacking a fence and a water supply, but noted the children were sure of getting food and shelter there.

The director of Agok police station, Captain Dau Ngor, said the centre had helped reduce the number of children on the streets. Young people who had committed minor offences would be sent to the centre rather than the prison, he added.

File photo: A centre for street children in Aweil, 2011