Philippines: Alternative Education Program for Street Children
Alternative Education Program for Street Children
The numbers are alarming: Approx. 25.000 street children live in the city of Manila, 6.000 of them girls. Every day, these children have to face violence, sexual abuse and physical exploitation. In co-operation with the organization Childhope Asia Philippines (CHAP), KNH campaigns for the education and rights of Manila's street children.
Foto: Kindernothilfe
Hoping for better living conditions, more and more families from the Philippines' countryside move to the urban area of Manila. But real life soon catches up with them: They do not find any work, have no place to stay. Entire families must live in the streets. To ensure their survival, children have to contribute to their family's income. To some parents, forcing their children into prostitution is the last resort.
Life in the streets
Poverty and physical or sexual abuse are the main reasons for children to run away from home, hoping for a better life in the streets. But this life is dangerous: It does not take long until the girls and boys get caught in the vicious circle of violence and prostitution. Not attending school, their chances of finding a way back into settled life are few.
The project: Alternative Education Program for Street Children (29511/AA/12)
The project work starts with social workers going to districts of Manila much frequented by street children. After gaining these children's trust, the project staff carefully tries to win them over to an alternative education program: In classes of 10 to 15 children, the girls and boys learn to count, read and write. Moreover, the project staff informs them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, drugs and alcohol. The children get regular meals and clean clothes. Especially for those children with dreadful experiences in the streets, psychological assistance is important: They get the opportunity to take part in individual or group counselling. Leisure activities and excursions add to the project work, which will in the long run reach up to 2.000 children - mainly girls.
The return to a settled life
The project work aims at convincing the children to end their lives in the streets and either stay at a rehabilitation centre or return to their families. Through the classes at the project centre, the girls and boys are prepared for attending regular school or starting vocational training. This year, more than 20 girls are being trained as health care workers. Having completed this training, they will assist the project staff in educating other street children on health care and HIV/AIDS. Alternatively, the children can take part in a training program conducted by the Department of Education and receive an officially recognized school leaving certificate.
- Contact
- Asia Desk
Email
- Download
- Advocacy Newsletter more
- Information
- Work overseas: What we do more
- Topics
- Street Children more
All rights reserve. Disclaimers.