Her step-father was also an alcoholic and for a long time, there was no one to take care of little Zane* or give her just a hug.

The eight-year-old girl, who ideally should have been home playing with her peers or attending school, was on and off the streets.

She was exposed to all manner of violence and other risks on the streets as the mother strolled at night drunk.

But it was not long before whispers of her parents’ negligence reached the authorities and Zane was rescued.