Children's charity Barnardos has released a heartbreaking video to raise awareness about homeless children in Ireland.
The video features the voice of Ava, six, who became homeless with her family.
The little girl explains what it's like to give up her possessions, live in a hotel and not be able to tell friends where she lives.
#Dail #Homelessness "I just want to find a home", Ava aged 6 https://t.co/KZkMw2k86v pic.twitter.com/sOtLamagxi
— Barnardos Ireland (@Barnardos_IRL) February 16, 2017
Despite efforts to tackle the housing and rental crisis, more children are homeless than ever before in Ireland.
Rates of child homelessness increased by 55 percent in the past year.
And unlike homeless adults, the stories of these homeless children are rarely heard.
Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, describes the predicament faced by a homeless child:
"Imagine packing your bag and going with your family to present to the authorities as homeless.
"Imagine the worries you would have about when you would see your friends, or where you would sleep, or how you would get to school.
"Imagine not telling your friends where you live because you’re embarrassed and think you might be bullied."
"Imagine not being able to play. Imagine not having a place to do your homework," he adds.
"And imagine not knowing how to change it or when it will end."
"These are the real fears of children living in hotels, emergency accommodation units and in overcrowded situations.”
