Donate a "FUTURE" to 300 street children

For the reporting period, fifteen (15) children from Divisoria area participated every Saturday in the on-going training on bag making made from of recycled newspapers. Those street youth who were previously trained on cosmetology (pedicure and manicure) provided services to adults in their respective areas and earned a minimal income. On the other hand, five (5) street youth trained in Hotel and Restaurant Service are continuously working in Queensland on an on-call basis.

Another two street youths trained in Housekeeping have finished their on-the-job training from St. Anthony center. Moreover, three trained street youth work as waiter and service crew in a fast food chain and in a hotel.

Furthermore, one of the street youth trained in Voc. Tech. is managing a small sari-sari store in South Harbor (Pier). He shared with the street educator that he has savings in the bank. He expressed that he is very grateful that he became a client of Childhope where he acquired skills and positive values in life.

For the School Year 2013-2014, out of 36 children enrolled in formal school, three (3) children dropped out due to family problems and the local government “rescue” operations. However, one of the college students did not enroll in the second semester due to a health problem (hernia). The 33 enrolled children were promoted to the next grade/ year level.

The social workers conducted counselling sessions with the children and their parents. The children are still interested to continue their studies and they are planning to enroll the next school year. The child who has a hernia will be referred by CHAP doctor to UP-PGH summer outreach operations. In the meantime, the children are undergoing counselling and regularly attend the alternative education and counselling sessions to help them to make with good decisions.  

Regular meetings, group counselling sessions and home/school visitations were conducted to closely monitor the children’s performance in school and to help them address their issues and concerns. The children’s monthly allowances were disbursed on time to support their daily school needs.

Links:

• From sleeping in slums to a scholarship in Germany by Natashya

For the period covered, a total of 49 street children were assisted with individual counselling while 220 street children participated in group counselling sessions. On the other hand, three (3) street children [two (2) males and one (1) female] were referred to recovery shelters such as Pangarap Shelter and Tahanan Sta. Luisa, while a child from Baclaran area was reunited with her family in Ilocos province.

The social workers continuously conduct home visits, school visits and agency visits to monitor the street children’s school performance, regular attendance in the alternative education sessions and counselling sessions among children who have behavioural problems, and also home visitations to discuss with the parents about their children’s issues and concerns.

Moreover, paralegal assistance and psychosocial interventions were provided to street children as follows:

• A case of a child, who was ready for referral to a center, was coordinated with the barangay in Caloocan to secure a Barangay Certificate and Birth Certificate as requirements for admission in the center. Likewise, coordination with the local City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) was also conducted since the child is an abandoned/neglected child. At present the child is undergoing counselling as part of his preparation to entering a shelter.

• A child was referred by policemen to the Childhope social worker due to an alleged theft and robbery case. The child’s case was coordinated with Barangay 81 in Caloocan and together with the barangay; Childhope social worker referred the child to Local Government Unit – CSWDO for custody and the necessary case management.
• Five (5) street children who experienced humiliation from a security guard and parish staff were referred to the barangay leader. A case conference was conducted with the presence of the children victims, perpetrators and Childhope/ Malayan staff/social worker. The children were assisted through counselling and were encouraged to continue their participation in the sessions conducted in the area.
• Coordination with Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and International Justice Mission (IJM) regarding the case of a trafficked child in Blumentritt is still ongoing. The case has an on-going court hearing. The child is under the custody of DSWD Marillac Hills, while the Childhope social worker conducts periodic visits to provide counselling/support to the child.

In addition, street children participants of Service Skills Training successfully completed their trainings as follows last December 28, 2013: 1 street youth enrolled in Entrepreneurship training; 16 street youth enrolled in Cosmetology (Manicure and Pedicure); and 13 youth enrolled in the Hotel and Restaurant Service.

Those who were trained in Manicure and Pedicure are earning income in their respective areas. Meanwhile, youth who were trained on Hotel and Restaurant Service are undergoing On-the-Job Training (OJT) at Queensland Catering and St. Joseph Catering, while one of them is now employed in Jollibee as a service crew.  A youth participant who was trained on Entrepreneurship is now managing a barbecue business in Malate area. Moreover, these trained street youth have also attended sessions on Convention on the Rights of the Child, Protective Behaviour and Personal Safety, Skills for Life and Adolescent Reproductive Health.

A CHAP volunteer conducted a training session on Proper Food Serving among twenty (20) participants and also assisted the youth who completed OJT training on preparation of Curriculum Vitae and proper etiquette in applying for a job.

• 4th Quarter Narrative Report_2013 (DOC)