Lessons learned from the Venezuelan experience

Despite Venezuela’s huge social and economic problems (see “Notes on the current juncture in Venezuela”), those fighting for street children in other countries can learn from its experience. Venezuela joined the global consumer market earlier than other Latin American countries so, if other nations are not careful, Caracas may be their future. Consumerism throws children into the streets. Oil money shrank the definition of wealth in Venezuela, leaving arts, family and culture out of it. Consumer goods became the only symbols of value. Poor children who want to enter a hegemonic world must go to the street – to steal, beg, prostitute themselves, or work.

So street and preventive work must be based on values that the market cannot grasp – solidarity, justice, friendship and love. See Los Círculos Infantiles por la Paz.

1. Child labor is profitable work. A hawker selling chewing gum in the street earns more than the minimum wage, and it will be difficult to persuade that child to leave the street. So, whenever there is money to be had in the streets, preventive work is extremely important.
   
   
2. Sport works! People in many countries talk about putting children in the limelight or about what motivates children to get ahead. In Venezuela, a country obsessed by baseball and basketball, sport has been found to serve both functions. Asociación Ayuda a un Niño and Asociación Muchachos de la Calle sponsor basketball and baseball teams, where street children play in town leagues with children belonging to all social classes.
   
   These teams have achieved success in at least three fields:
   
   • Social inclusion. When playing against wealthy children or against those with different experiences, street children learn they can participate in society as equals.
   • Self-esteem. To win a game against rich children has a wonderful effect.
   • Education. Children do not only learn discipline and cooperation involved in sports; they also learn that they can succeed and should aspire to the best.
     
     
3. Funds can be raised from national companies and wealthy people. Asociación Ayuda a un Niño obtains its whole budget from private donations –nothing comes from the Government, international foundations or the country’s companies. This association maintains constant relations with rich donors, and is completely transparent.