Poor housing conditions, bad education, a high rate of unemployment especially of youth, families suffering from HIV and AIDS, boys being involved in crimes, girls being involved in prostitution exposing them to teenage pregnancy, children living in the streets abusing drugs and alcohol - that is how children grow up in many parts of townships like Soshanguve.
"My name is Nthabiseng, I am 17 years old and I live in Block NN, Soshanguve. I come from a poor community. There are many people who are living in shacks and there is a high rate of unemployment which affects my parents and other people in my community.
"My name is Lesego. I live in the township called Soshanguve in Gauteng province. I live in a poor community. Many boys like smoking dagga and drinking alcohol and we have a lot of teenage pregnancy. There are many poor families because people do not have jobs and are unemployed. There are many children who do not get anything to eat at home and have to sleep with empty stomachs.
At home we are not living well. My parents were fighting, everyday. Now, my father is not living with us anymore.
"My name is Nhlanhla. I am 13 years old. I live in Soshanguve, Block NN. I am a joyful person. I love to laugh and read.
I come from an underprivileged community. My family is poor and I live in my grandmother's house with my cousins and my aunts. It is very difficult for me to find my own private space.
"My name is Tebogo. I live in Winterveld and I am 13 years old. At home I live with my mother, two brothers and my sister. My father has deceased. The situation at home is bad because the money my mother earn where she is working is not enough to support our family. Somtimes, I sleep without having had a meal.
There is a lot of poverty in the community I live. It is very much disorganised and there is great unemployment. There is a lot of crime happening around.
"First of all, I want to say hello to all of you. My name is Thabiso. I am 13 years old and I live in Soshanguve, Block NN. It is a poor environment I live in. In my community there are many boys who have dropped out from school.
"My name is Dineo. I am 14 years old. I have always been in this place. That’s why I love living here. I am the last of two children. However, I live alone with my mother as my sister lives at my grandmother's place.
Kgomotso Children Centre