Canica provides street children and street vendors health, education, shelter, and case management. They share a rather orthodox service model with JUCONI (Puebla and Guayaquil, Ecuador), using outreach and street education as a way to convince children to return to their families or to come to shelters. See Creando Soluciones para Nin@s en Situación de Calle, their book.
Having discovered that one neighborhood is the origin of many, if not most, of the street children in Oaxaca (Col. Monte Alban), Canica begins its work there. In collaboration with CONAFE, the program provides help to elementary students as a way to keep them off the street in the first place. This collaboration is one of many; Canica believed firmly in strengthening civil society as a way to combat youth homelessness.
Street educators use a process called "Operación amistad" with children already on the streets. First, they find where the children are, then begin quick conversations there. Over the next 3-6 months, they attempt to build trust through play, games, etc; during this time they also work on diagnosing the problem, attempting to discover something about their families, etc. After trust has been established, educators attempt to connect the children with Canica's more elevated services, then evaluate whether continued efforts will bear fruit.
Off the street activities begin with groups of ten. These may include soccer games, movies, etc; Canica believes it is very important to work with the children away from the crucero or baldío (where kids work or hang out). Education follows a formal curriculum of practices, habits, health, nutrition, and simple off-the-street life-skills. During these two years (now in the hands of another group, not the street educator), Canica makes contact with the family and neighbors of the child to see whether he will be able to return home.
Aftercare reinforces the work already done, whether the child has returned home or is still in the street. Canica estimates that 75% of the children have a radical change of perspective after their time in the program (note that their life may not change, but their perspective does).
Canica also runs a pre-school in the market for vendors' children, largely directed toward prevention of homelessness and emphasizing the value of school. In 2001, they plan to open a legal and human rights department.
Canica serves some 400 children and 124 families with a staff of 30. Funds come from 90 local donors and several international organizations.
Canica, Centro de Apoyo al niño de la calle
Muñe Espinosa Torre (Directora General)
canicadeoaxaca@prodigy.net.mx
www.canicadeoaxaca.org
951 8 51 77 or 951 8 51 76; fax 951 5 96 67
Privada 21 de Marzo 202 Colonia Unión y Progreso
CP 68050 Oaxaca
Oaxaca
México
