Education for 250 working children in Chiapas

On february we launched the annual birth certificate campaign, placing posters around markets and public areas and and we also broadcast radio announcements in Spanish and Tzotzil on different radio stations that reach a big audience of the population we work with.

This past tuesday was the first birth certificate delivery on Melel´s office getting birth certificates for 36 children from 0 to 17 years old

Through educational activities called “learning circles” and other educational resources, we helped working children to gain places at school and raise their level of school attendance. Using different methodologies, children learned about their rights to identity and education. We also helped them to improve their reading, mathematical skills and technological abilities.

The activities took place in the spaces where children work (such as public markets) and in the organization’s offices.

33 children and adolescents were given a scholarship that helped them to continue their studies and will help generate virtuous circles of school enrollment and attendance within their families.  Also, we assisted in the transition to college of 6 young people. We provided the opportunity for these students to discuss their vocational options with a guidance counselor in order to direct their studies towards the best possible future in a career of their own choosing.

To all our GlobalGiving Donors, we are very pleased to share our Annual Report 2014, so you can see what you had help achieved with your donation.

http://www.globalgiving.org/pfil/11133/projdoc.pdf

We believe that there’s still a lot that needs to be done so that every child and adolescent in Chiapas can exercise their human rights. We also believe that they are stakeholders and agents of change who need to be listened to and involved in the social transformation that is needed to achieve a more dignified life for everyone

We want to dedicate this report to you!

The project continues to work toward its target of maximum enrolment of school age children and higher completion rates of primary and secondary level schooling. Through these strategies:

Consultation for birth certificates procedures

a) An annual campaign for the right to an official identity, running from January to May.

The goal is to educate families about the importance of birth registration as a means to fulfill the right to an identity for their children.

b) Briefings with families to explain the requirements of the procedure.

c) Collect and check documents and take them to the civil registration.  Melel provides this essential service since many indigenous parents do not speak Spanish

d) Delivery of birth certificates to Melel ´s office.

 Increasing awareness about the importance of formal education

a) Educational work with mothers and fathers:

We are having meetings with parents whose children do not attend school to talk about the importance of education for children.

b) Community Work:

We are implementing an awareness campaign about the right to education for children. We are designing and printing materials for the campaign in Spanish and Tzotzil Mayan to share in public spaces. We are also producing radio-spots in Spanish and Tzotzil to broadcast on local radios stations. 

 Educational work with children and adolescents 

a) Through educational activities called “learning circles”, educational resources are offered to children to help them develop social skills to strengthen school attendance. Using different methodologies, children learn about their rights to identity and education. We are also helping them to improve their reading and mathematical skills and technological literacy. 

Activities are conducted twice a week (morning and evening) in the spaces where children work.

b) Social circus workshop. The practice and performance of circus skills can help generate new non-violent practices of social relations centered on a culture of good treatment and gender-equality.

Scholarships

33 children and adolescents are benefit by the scholarships program

Links:

• http://www.melelxojobal.org.mx