Child begging is visible in major cities like Niamey, Bamako and Ouagadougou. Around 43 percent of people in Burkina Faso lived below the poverty line in 2021, 45.5 percent in Mali (2021) and 47.4 percent in Niger in 2023. The three countries together have about 77 million people.
Reports say more than 20,000 children in Mali are forced to beg and many children in Niger were identified as victims in Quranic schools. UNICEF links economic, social and family factors to the rise in child begging. Local groups such as Suudu Baaba and Samusocial give help, but governments find it hard to stop the problem.
Difficult words
- poverty — The state of being very poor.
- children — Young people who are not adults.
- support — To help someone or something.
- education — The process of learning and teaching.
- challenges — Difficult things to deal with.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why is education important for children in poverty?
- What can governments do to reduce poverty?
- How can communities help children in need?
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