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The first is of rural origin, where the child leaves his village and goes to the
city, and therefore abandons school or does not learn a trade, and then seeks
means to make a living. Here, the village is perceived as a place of conflict,
which impedes the development of the youth;
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The second is of urban origin, characterized by an unstable economic context,
which leads to financial insecurity for displaced families, and unstable and
random employment.
This eventually results in separation, divorce and remarriage, which destabilize
children and hamper their growth.
Asides these factors, the study notes that street children live under vulnerable
conditions and are exposed to risks of exploitation and abuse.
Improving the living conditions of these children
A crisis centre and a shelter and reintegration centre for street children were set up
in Yaoundé under a joint project conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and the
Belgian Red Cross. Under this initiative, 1,052 street children were assisted between 2002
and 2005, of whom 355 were returned to their families, 74 received school aid, 155 were
given vocational training and 11 were placed in an institution.
In 2003, the Ministry for Youth started reviving activities for the youth:
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With the national project to support youth reintegration (PRONAIS);
By formulating a national youth policy with support from UNFPA and UNICEF;
By reviving civic service as part of participation in the national development
effort.
X. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHILD (ARTICLE 31)
The Cameroonian child living on Cameroonian soil also has to assume certain
duties, by virtue of the inculcation of social prerequisites, which ensure his participation in
the development of the nation.
A. Duties of the Child toward Parents, Family and the Community
The child is duty bound to obey and show respect toward his parents and family.
He must demonstrate exemplary behaviour, devoid of deviance, and respecting the
African tradition, in order to make his community proud. Civil status ordinance 81/02 of 29
June 1981and the Napoleonic Civil Code applicable to Cameroon, reaffirms some of these
duties.