|
How and Why This Project
Works The basic task of Sí a la Vida is to change the self-image of these children from being street kids to being useful members of society. To accomplish this we employ a number of techniques, all based upon providing them with understanding, respect and unconditional love -- usually for the first time ever -- and motivating them to take decision-making power over their own lives. The process begins when the children are
still in the street. Our field workers seek to gain their confidence by developing
supportive, nonjudgmental relationships. They listen to the kids and ask
questions to gently prod the child into talking and thinking about what caused
his Once in the residential center, he is provided with a flexible but structured environment in which the law of the street -- that the biggest and meanest rule -- does not apply. Through a process of group interaction and constant 24-hour-a-day therapy, he slowly becomes part of a new community based on self-respect and respect of others. The kids receive individual psychological consultations, along with the weekly "Reunión de la Comunidad" -- group therapy in which they talk about their changing lives, concerns, and gripes, and receive the feedback of both the adults and the other children. There are less formal group meetings to resolve the myriad of problems (usually aggression or theft) that arise on an almost daily basis, with the kids themselves often exerting the most effective influence in changing the behavior of an erring compañero. The child gradually changes his allegiance from the street to this new community, and from there to the larger society. Participation and good behavior are recognized and rewarded through a system of coupons which the children use to "purchase" shoes and clothes. The objective is to encourage self-reliance and discourage the common cultural habit of begging for one's needs and depending on giveaways. Self-respect and self-esteem include the right to personal health and to live in a healthy environment, and for this the children learn good habits of personal hygiene and take responsibility for cleaning the center twice daily. Morning classes in Spanish, math and carpentry are geared to basic literacy and to prepare the youth for eventual entry in public schools and job-training workshops. The children's progress is evaluated at weekly staff meetings. Often we make contact with family even before the child is in the center. On initial visits the child is accompanied by a staff member but as he stabilizes, solo family visits and trial home stays are encouraged. Children are permanently returned to their families only when both child and family are in agreement to do so and the staff judges that family reintegration has a decent chance of success. Once home, the boy receives supportive follow-up in the form of regular visits from staff members to assure that family problems will not send them back to the streets. The "graduates" are considered permanent members of the Sí a la Vida community and are encouraged to continue to participate in Saturday group-therapy and Sunday afternoon field-trips and are invited on the excursion to Ometepe Island during Holy Week. They have the right to stay over for the occasional week-end at Casa Nuevo Amanecer.. |
|
|
separation from his family and reflecting on the ugly reality of life in the
street. Through a rudimentary process of consciousness-raising, the child is
encouraged to realize that he has the power to decide to change his life, and that there
is a place where he can do so.