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Fr Robert García, Director of the “Salesian Street Children Project” Foundation in Quito, reported that the work has been going on for over 33 years. “Based on the Preventive System in the style of Don Bosco this work aims to promote the all-round development of the children and young people, to restore dignity to their lives, through education, technical and vocational training, helping them take their place in society and the work place, with respect for their rights and role in society”.
Miguel Pérez, Coordinator of the technical team of the temporary residence of “Mi Caleta” (“my refuge”) explained that between January 2009 and July 2010, together with the civil Institutions such as COMPINA and UNICEF, about 100,000 dollars had been invested on behalf of over 1000 people from street boys and girls, youths, families in need, street sellers in the city of Quito and, in particular, in the “La Mariscal” district.
During the school holidays, Miguel Pérez said, the number of children and youths living on the streets increases considerably, especially in the 11 to 13 age group. In this regard he also gave an interesting statistic, in which it was shown that the majority of these children and youths spend their holidays as street sellers; and most of them are from the problem districts of “Placer” and “Tejar”.
Afterwards, the media representatives, and those from Institutions and the local authorities present at the Press Conference were able to visit the premises of “Mi Caleta”, and meet some of the street children and teenagers and listen to their experiences. Finally there was the presentation of the III National Camp “Schools for Citizenship” for street children, teenagers and youngsters to be held between 29 and 31 July at Guayllabamba.
Published 27/07/2010
