Vicaría Sur, program for working boys and girls
In 2008, Victor Ruz wrote to inform us that the programa of the Vicaría Sur no longer exists. We leave this essay on line, however, because it includes some interesting information. Some of the profesionals involved in the program moved on to form La Caracola.
The Vicaría Sur, part of the famous Vicarate of Solidarity that demanded human rights under the Pinochet dictatorship, created a program for child laborers in 1986. Staff is entirely volunteer and young; many were once child workers. It has been motivated by Liberation Theology.
The program works in a mixed-class neighborhood, where many boys clean winshields while girls sell flowers and candy (the sexual division of labor is insurmountable). Volunteers go out many evenings with food, games, and arts and crafts supplies. After many years of work, they have a strong connection with the kids, and so the kids are always happy to leave work for an hour to come, talk, and play.
The Vicaría understands that its work is limited and will not change the world, but it does allow kids to regain lost values and ethics, and shows them that people can treat each other kindly. The volunteers themselves see the work as transformative; many ex-street kids work as volunteers and then go on to college or professional life.
Vicaría Sur, Programa de acojida a niños y niñas trabajadores
Séptima Avenida 1247
San Miguel, Santiago, Chile
Victor Ruz
521 6421
521 1967
fax: 521 3453
zonasur@ctcinternet.cl
albavict@unete.com
<rilo_chile@yahoo.es>
www.ninostrabajadores.cl
