Interview with Najat M'jid, president of Moroccan NGO Bayti

18/01/2006

Dr. Najat M'Jid is a paediatrician and founder of Moroccan association Bayti. She created the association to help the situation of street children in her country.

[File] M'Jid

Magharebia: What are the main objectives of Bayti?

Najat M'Jid: The Bayti (My Home) association started ten years ago to work in the areas of family reintegration for street children, child labourers, child victims of cruelty, abandoned children, juvenile delinquents, and sexually exploited children.

Magharebia: How did your work as a paediatrician lead you to create this association?

M'Jid: First of all, I love children. On returning to Morocco after my studies in France, I was walking one day through the streets of Casablanca and I saw a kid who seemed to have spent several days on the streets. I asked him what he was doing there, and was shocked when he replied that he lived on the streets. I did not think that went on in Morocco. A lot of anger welled up inside me and I realised the situation needed to be put right.

Magharebia: Why Casablanca?

M'Jid: We started in Casablanca because it is the city that harbours the most street children. Our headquarters are in Casablanca, but we now have centres in Meknes and Essaouira as well.

Magharebia: What are Bayti's priorities in dealing with these street children?

M'Jid: Our priority is to reintegrate them into families, schools or work. The association has a home and apartments for these children as well as several activities and workshops.

Magharebia: What are the basic causes of the phenomenon of street children in Morocco?

M'Jid: The basic cause is the family. The majority of these children come from poor and/or problem families. We realised that the role of the family in providing protection is almost nonexistent because the top priority is survival.

Magharebia: What draws these children to the streets?

M'Jid: The street offers a lot of freedom to these young people. Children who have been deprived of everything find each other in the streets. This gives them a strong feeling of solidarity and belonging to a family.

Magharebia: What are the dangers confronted by street children?

M'Jid: Firstly, all of these children become dependent upon drugs. Violence is another danger which preys upon these children every day. There is also the problem of sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis and skin problems. But, there are also behavioural problems.

Magharebia: How does Bayti get involved in responding to this problem?

M'Jid: The strategic approach and methodology adopted for implementing Bayti's activities is divided into four stages and a parallel activity:

First stage: Street-based contact and overall analysis of the situation (key stage for the whole integration process).

Second stage: Rehabilitation, socialisation: skills building, guidance, psychosocial approach, referral.

Third stage: Genuine social integration, empowerment of the young person.

Fourth stage: Follow-up: consolidation of the integration and prevention of any setbacks

Parallel activity: Programme aimed at families through stages 1 to 4.