To help more street children to help themselves

To be able to monitor the behavioural of the street children participants, counselling is part of the sessions that our Social Workers is conducting among them. After a series of counselling sessions, the street children demonstrated the following positive behavioural changes for the past reporting period:

• Their understanding on the severe implications of living on the streets increased.
• Their thoughts and behaviours toward others greatly improved.
• They were no longer as hesitant to disclose their deep-seated problems with our social workers.
• They realized the dangerous effects of misusing psychoactive substances.
• Their performance in school and in their Alternative Learning System (ALS) classes noticeably improved.

• They realized that they are not hopeless and that there are concerned citizens/groups willing to help them.

In addition, the street children enrolled in Childhope’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP) have been closely monitored by the social workers through regular home visits and school visits. The school visits help social workers to better assess their situation and performance in school during the academic period.  Consultations with their homeroom teachers were conducted to ensure that the students attended and participated in class. Children who had difficulties with their studies were consequently provided with counselling together with their parents so as to guide the latter in better supporting their children with their studies.

Moreover, through Financial Education sessions, the street educators continue to educate street children on the value of money and its proper use, and motivate them to develop the habit of saving for future use. The coordinator is currently coordinating with China Bank for the opening of their savings accounts. He is also assisting the children in securing pertinent documents for their accounts.  This quarter, six (6) youth were selected and formally enrolled in the new batch of participants for the service skills training program.