Asociación Muchachos de la Calle
The Asociación began its work with street kids in 1987, when the majority of Venezuelan NGOs remained unaware of the problems of homeless youth. With a budget of only US$300, they arranged play groups in the Plaza Venezuela, where kids hung out in the late ‘80s.
After five years, with the help of UNESCO, the Asociación bought a house. In 1993, it received an ambulance as a gift from a sympathetic American. With these new resources, the Asociación was able to provide medical services on the street and began an Artisans’ House, specializing in marbled paper. The house is colonial, in an old neighborhood of Caracas -- the quality of the place “teaches the kids that they deserve the best.”
Today, the Asociación runs two houses. The first, which works to prevent homelessness, is located in Girasos, one of the most marginal and violent neighborhoods of Caracas. There, the kids learn arts and crafts, but more importantly, they have a community that isn’t part of the street or of a gang. In one conversation with kids from the barrio, Shine a light asked if there was anything good about the place, and a boy responded, “Sure, there’s good stuff. This house. These friends here.” The friends also form a basketball team, which competes against teams from all social classes.
The other house, which the Asociación has owned for more time, serves kids at higher risk. The children live there and participate in similar activities while they solve their family problems.
Children come to the program referred by their friends, through social workers, or sometime referred by concerned adults.
Asociación Muchachos de la Calle
Gustavo Misle Giraud, Director Fundador
Apartado 60646
Caracas 1060
Venezuela
tel: (58 - 212) 551 77 67
fax: (58 - 212) 266 7556
mucalle@hotmail.com
mucalle@yahoo.es
www.muchachosdelacalle.org.ve
Blog: http://desdelacalle-desdelacalle.blogspot.com
www.desdelacalle-muchachos.blogspot.com
www.observatoriodeinfanciayjuventud.blogspot.com
