Opened since May 2006, the centre initially opened its doors once a week to the first group of identified children. Subsequently Mwema opened the hosting centre on a full-time basis, which was equipped over time with the necessities to make it habitable.
The aim of the centre, in accordance with children’s rights, is to: welcome those living on the street, voluntarily and with the permission of their immediate families; provide food, housing, education and general care, as well as to promote family and labour reintegration.
The centre is fully occupied at the moment, housing 25 children, who were living on the street and have not returned to their families.
Mwema works with the families of children by encouraging mutual contact in order to re-establish emotional bonds and promote a dignified return to family life. There is also continuous contact with the wider community through participation in neighbourhood and district meetings and the participation of the association and the children in public events, such as theatrical works that deal with social change.