Homelessness is an acute social problem affecting many people in Trinidad and Tobago . Many of those affected are children. Research in 2003 indicated that there were at least 700 homeless children. It is quite likely that that number has risen since.

Some of these children have homes while some do not; some come from shelters and children's institutions, and some have been abandoned by parents. The situation is rather complex as Abinta Clarke, a YWCA official and formerly homeless person, explained on Morning Edition a few weeks ago.

She noted that homeless children beg or steal for a living, are beaten up by Police, used in the commercial sex trade, exploited by drug pushers, humiliated at fast-food outlets and spat upon by people. Boys in particular are treated with scorn.

What does this kind of “violence” do to children, especially boys? It breeds more violence. These are the ones who when they become young men and women often turn to criminal activity to survive.

We are so fed-up and frightened by crime that when we see homeless children we think only of the dangers they present; we do not think about what may have caused them to be on the streets in the first place – unstable homes, domestic violence, death of one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS, and poverty.

We cannot turn our backs on street children because they are our children; it is our society that spurned them and it is our society that must care for them.

Homelessness is also a mark of globalisation. While globalisation has its advantages - bringing peoples closer together, reducing trade constraints, effecting rapid communication and sending aid quickly to victims in times of national disaster, it also has its disadvantages – stifling of rural economies, increased materialism and secularism, and widening the gap between rich and poor.

With Trinidad and Tobago lobbying to be the headquarters of the FTAA we must ensure that children are not forgotten in this pursuit for economic well-being.

We often think that homelessness is a matter for religious organisations and NGOs. This perception is wrong. Homelessness must be a matter of national concern and we must address this social ill comprehensively.

Since it is increasingly affecting our children strategies must be adopted by all to stem the tide of this social evil. Government has to be involved and cannot sit on the sidelines. Government must therefore make its contributions through the Ministry of Social Services.

It must extend its efforts to the Ministry of Education so that children are taught parenting and inter-personal skills at schools. It is also perplexing to figure out why, with so many billions of dollars passing through our economy, provisions have not been made for allocating a sufficient number of social workers to our schools.

Parents must also recognise their recklessness has led to the proliferation of street children. Fathers especially must not forget their role as parent is a divine one - “ And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ” (Eph 6:4) - and God will call them to account for it.

As we move to make Trinidad and Tobago the economic hub of the Caribbean let us remember that our most precious resources are not oil and natural gas but our children.