Street Kids’ Internet Project

Esmeraldas is one of the poorest cities in Ecuador; in addition, it lacks a strong civil society, particularly one that works in favor of children. In order to address this lacuna, the Salesian Fathers and Chasquinet collaborated in the creation of the Street Kids’ Internet Project, which uses the power of the web to motivate street kids and gang members to take charge of their own lives.

When the project began, Esmeraldas had no connection to the internet; phone lines are still a major problem. Another major problem has been the proliferation of street gangs. Chasquinet and the Salesians decided to address both problems at the same time.

Though they knew that the eventual plan would involve the internet, educators began with more conventional tools. They worked on the street, getting to know the kids. They played football, they talked about sex and drugs, and they encouraged the kids to return to school. One aspect of street education was even more important: educators stimulated curiosity about the world, then worked on answering the kids’ questions. “We wanted the internet to be a necessity, not just a game.”

During this time, the program also gave workshops on self esteem, personal development, and conflict resolution. This work turned out to be essential.

When the technology was ready, so were the kids. Collaborating with Esmenet, a socially responsible business, the Project opened an internet café. They wanted to create a sustainable small business where kids could learn and eventually work.

For two years, the project worked wonderfully. Street children came to learn computer science; some left their gangs while others returned to live with their families. One young man learned so much about computers and management that he became the administrator of the café, with such success that the Salesians and Chasquinet thought their job was done.

Unfortunately, when the young man left to study at the University, the internet café almost fell apart. He had done great work, but no one could take his place. As a result, the project reformed its model, making it more horizontal and cooperative. Today, the café is run by a coop of young men and women -- there are always conflicts, but the model appears more sustainable.

The Project insists that the most important aspect if its work had nothing to do with computers. Much more important was the personal development of the youth. Technology is no panacea for their problems -- it is only a motivator. Workshops on self esteem and self understanding were the base of the program’s success.

Proyecto Niños de la Calle

Para más información, contacte Chasquinet
Curuña 1609 y Manuel Iturrey
Quito, Ecuador

593 2 245 3664

(Nueva dirección): Hernando Sarmiento N39-65 entre Portete y Hugo Moncayo
Quito, Ecuador

Contacto: Marcelo Galarza: marcelo@chasquinet.org

www.chasquinet.org