Prevent mexican children from living in the street

In October 2013 we began to work with the García  family, after A. and P., the parents, approached Pro Niños, expressing their concern that their  children Y., G. and M. spent too much time in the streets and did not go to school.

Initially, we accompanied the family in a process of reflection to help them to identify the most immediate things that were affecting their life together. Thus, A. and P., with the help of their children, decided to start to put their household in order to make it a better place lo live.

A. and P. started to pay more attention to Y, G, M and P. activities. As part of this follow-up process, they alternate to take them to school and to help them do their homework.

At Pro Niños we have been following a holistic approach in our intervention with the family, through weekly visits to their home. A. and P. have participated in workshops to develop nurturing skills where they have learned how to become sensitive to their children’s needs and to be available for them. They have also participated in violence prevention workshops and the whole family has received specialized psycho-educational care. Throughout this process in which both parents and children have actively participated, they have succeeded in identifying their needs and strengths.

Three months ago, Y., the oldest child who is eleven began attending the Pro Niños Day Center. We are helping him to develop emotional and cognitive skills to improve his performance at school, communicate with his parents and make healthy decisions vis a vis the difficult situations he faces.

P, the youngest, who is three years old and has a diagnosis of accute malnoursihment has been receiving specialized treatment and his health has improved, thanks to his parents’ support.

The family has gone through a difficult process and their precarious economic situation has been an obstacle for them to move forward. But, A. and P. are working hard to make better decisions, look for support networks in their community and developing skills that will enable them to offer their children a better home life.

In the next part of the story of the family we will tell you more about what both parents and children have achieved during this process of accompaniment by  Pro Niños, to help prevent their children from leaving home to live in the streets.