From Jonathan Roise, co-founder of Si a la Vida

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 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.

Once in the residential center in Managua, Casa Nuevo Amanacer, 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. Staff provide in-house classes in basic literacy, arts and crafts, and socialization/cooperation activities.  After about three months, the kids transfer to the more intensive program at the residential center, Casa José María, on Ometepe.

A typical day for a child at Casa José María would include attending public school in town, receiving in-house tutoring and supervised homework sessions from staff, classes in computers, English, folkloric dance, and doing personal tasks like laundry and room cleanup as well as help in maintaining the various facilities.

On Ometepe, the kids receive individual psychological consultations, along with weekly 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 problems (usually aggression or theft) that occasionally arise, 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.

The children's progress is evaluated at weekly community meetings of staff and residents. The seven evaluation parameters are self-respect, respect for others, home care and respect for the natural environment, education, participation in activities, work, and personal development.  This highly animated meeting takes place every Friday evening.  Incentives are used to encourage positive performance.

Participation, success and good behavior are recognized through a system of rewards which include clothing, shoes, and personal hygiene needs. These material items, as well as pride in accomplishment, motivate the kids to do well in the weekly evaluation and to bring home a good report card from school. The objective is to encourage self-esteem and self-reliance, and discourage the common cultural habit of begging for one's needs and depending on giveaways. Participation in special field trips and permission to go to the local fiesta on Saturday night also depend on good behavior and fulfillment of obligations.

Reintegrating the boy with his family is a major goal from the start. Often we make contact with family even before the child leaves the street. On initial visits the child is accompanied by a staff member but as he stabilizes, solo family visits and trial home stays are encouraged. On Ometepe there is a guest room and free transportation to encourage parents to spend a few days with their children. Children are permanently returned to their families when both child and family are in agreement to do so and the staff judges that family reintegration has a decent chance of success. Monthly meetings in Managua are held with parents to prepare them for reintegration and help develop parenting skills.

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 participate in monthly meetings of the graduates where they receive group counseling and share stories about how they are coping. Graduates are invited to visit Ometepe during holidays and school vacation and have the right to social services at Casa Nuevo Amanecer in Managua. The project has a scholarship fund which allows these boys to continue their education, whether in school or in specific subjects such as English or computing, the object being that money not be an obstacle to their advancement. n this way, Sí a la Vida continues to help these boys and young men to be independent and productive.