Prevent the next generation of street children

I want to tell you about Esmeralda, a beautiful three-year-old girl who is a newcomer at the Kaya Center. Esmeralda’s mom, Angelica, was one of the first mothers enrolled in "Warmi Kaya", one of our newest programs which works with the mothers of children who are on the streets or “at risk.” With the help of Warmi, Angelica obtained stable work but struggled to watch Esmeralda. Sadly, she left the child with her aunt where Esmeralda was badly neglected. This sweet little girl became seriously ill and depressed. And she was soon diagnosed with "chronic malnutrition."

Now, Esmeralda lives temporarily with a dedicated Kaya staff member while her mother finds a better childcare option. Esmeralda is receiving the food, clothing and medical attention she needs. Each day she is growing stronger! She eats very well and is gaining weight once again. Though Esmeralda’s language was very limited, she is now learning quickly, mimicking what she sees and hears around her. One of our Kaya Center volunteers, Katie, has taken a special interest in her.

Perhaps the best news of all is that, at the Kaya Center, Esmeralda is happy! Her sadness has faded away, and now her contagious smile lights up the room as she tries to make the other children laugh. Esmeralda is truly loved at the Kaya Center by all the staff and children. Your support makes this new beginning for Esmeralda and so many other children possible. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

At the heart of all of Kaya’s day to day activities and services is The Kaya Center. The Center serves all of Kaya’s residential children and dozens of community children living on the streets, or those living at home but who are at extreme high risk of street life. Through education, therapeutic services and group activities, children grow emotionally, spiritually and learn to help themselves to a future with potential. 

The Kaya Center utilizes a holistic, integrated, individualized, strength-based approach to caring for children. We address the physical, psychological, social, academic, and spiritual needs of the children in our care, using individualized service plans to manage intervention activities. Each child’s needs are carefully assessed upon entrance to the program. Services and development goals are customized according to the child’s strengths and weaknesses; and are integrated to maximize effectiveness. The therapists, teachers, and after-school program leaders work collaboratively to meet the holistic needs of the children.

To illustrate the importance of Kaya's holistic, early intervention services, we offer brief profiles of a few of the recent boys and girls who have entered the Kaya Center.

Hector is seven years old. His mother died a year ago from alcohol related issues. Although he lives with his father and older siblings, their housing is unstable and there is insufficient food and negligible income. Hector was not in school, and was spending his time trying to find work in the marketplace.

Six year old Nicolas does not fall into our typical target population because he lives with his mother and grandmother and was not abandoned. However, no one in their family is employed; the little money they have to survive comes from guarding cars at night, and recycling plastic containers. Nicolas was not in school and he was at extreme high risk of entering street life.

The Kaya Center is a safe haven of intervention for these boys. They are now both enrolled in school, receiving tutoring, eating nutritious meals, participating in spiritual formation classes, taking showers, playing soccer and being cared for by the Kaya staff.

We know children’s lives are being transformed through Kaya’s holistic and innovative services. Our efforts have evolved to meet the changing needs of the children we save. Through your support and ongoing partnership, we are able to intervene and prevent children from living a life on the streets.