Street+Children+in+Latin+America

**__History__**
The number of street children has dramatically increased in recent years due to the social and economic issues within those countries. These issues include: overcrowding, corrupt governments, abuse at home, drought, poverty, and rural to urban migration. These children spend most or all of their lives on the streets and most don't live past the age of 21.

**__Current Situation__**
Currently there are 100 million street children worldwide, and out of those 100 million there are 40 million street children scattered throughout Latin America. The standards of living that these children possess is absolutely horrendous. They lack social, physical, and moral development and are treated horribly by common citizens who see them. Police officers in these countries see these children as inadequate additions to their society and the feel the need to try and exterminate this problem.

**__Being Addressed__**
This is being addressed mostly by the creation of the International Day of Street Children. Every April 12th, average citizens are not supposed to give money to begging street children. The UN is also responsible for creating laws that give these children certain inalienable rights.

**__What You Can Do to Help__**
Donate to the non profit, non government organizations that work to provide these children with food, shelter, sanitation, and love.