Street Children Project

Author : Klaus Stoll
Date added : 2000-08-19

Brief Project Background

Results

Marginalized children and youth in Latin America have limited access to education and resources, and frequently end up working or living in the streets. Their "tools" for daily survival include prostitution, begging, theft, and drug abuse. These activities, in which increasingly more and more small children are involved, threaten not only their lives but also society as a whole.
Ecuador, a small country located in northwest South America is now experiencing the worst economic crisis of its history. The combination of a dysfunctional government and economic elites, who are insensitive to the reality of 80% of Ecuadorians, provides little opportunity for most people. And time is running out. The people who suffer the most are the poorest (now 70 % of the total population); 4 million (30%) earn less than $40 per month (a little more than $1 per day). Meanwhile, the average cost of living is $200 per month.
For all of these people, but especially for children, this situation has forced radical changes in the daily life of the country. During the past few months, a very high percentage of boys and girls have abandoned school, taking on all kinds of small jobs to contribute to family income. Kids who sell any kind of product on the street are exposed to multiple dangers, including car accidents, violence, prostitution, and substance abuse.
The neighbourhoods where street kids live are places lacking hope. These children find it difficult to escape. Poverty, disease, sexual abuse, and pollution are all accepted as daily realities

New Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can provide alternatives to improve the quality of life for children and youth at risk and living in poverty. IDRC Canada), Chasquinet (Ecuador) and Proyecto Salesiano Chicos de la Calle (Ecuador), along with NGOs from Colombia and Brazil, are working together.

"We are exploring risks and opportunities using information and communication technologies for social development. Exploring these issues with street kids in Latin America is a major challenge; it challenges the way we think about street kids (how can street kids be empowered through the use of computers and the internet) and about the social implications of communication technologies (how can communication technologies be used by some of the most marginalized people in society). With this project we will have a better understanding of the opportunities and risks brought about by new communication technologies to help street kids get off the street and lead a meaningful life as full members of society." Ricardo Gomez, Senior Program Specialist, IDRC Canada

The primary goal of these projects is to provide computer skills and Internet tools to street children, who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity.
Street Children's Telecentre Projects in Ecuador and Colombia are designed to tap into the inner world of street life by offering Internet use as a new vehicle of communication.
The idea is to introduce street children to alternative skills and lifestyles, and support them in finding ways to solve their problems and create opportunities.
The telecentres offer kids access to well-structured learning and guidance, to provide a minimum of education and training. This program can open doors not only to information, skills, and jobs, but more importantly provides these kids with a measure of self-confidence and a better opportunity to survive on the street. In addition, a sense of community is created as street kids share their experiences with others in similar circumstances.

The Street Children's Project is using the Internet to create links between street children. These children have been forced to adopt the street life as a way to survive. They share common struggles, including those related to prostitution, theft, drug consumption, and the daily battle to stay alive in the midst of crime and brutalities of every kind. The difficulties they face pose a threat to their lives and threaten the future of society as a whole. The Street Children Telecentre project in Ecuador and Colombia is exploring ways the Internet can be used to exchange knowledge and experiences in order to help street children solve their problems and create opportunities for a better life. The project has established a street children portal and an initial network. The aim is to expand to expand this network throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Canadian funding and support
IDRC and DFAIT from Canada will support the Street Children's Project in Ecuador and Colombia. The goal from an organizational standpoint is to enhance actions by establishing close relations and cooperation between local partners, the Salesian community, Fundación Chasquinet and CEFODI in Ecuador, and Renacer in Colombia. IDRC will facilitate networking between these groups by promoting the sharing of valuable information and experiences across different cultural and geographic barriers.
No single model will fit for every particular case, but cross evaluation of different scenarios and local actors will enrich the discussion about the potential benefits and adverse effects of ICTs for social organization and the economic development of marginalized groups in Latin America.

Activities
The Project has set up Internet access sites and training programs in collaboration with local organizations working with street children. Contacts have been made with the organizations indicated, but a final decision will be made after a more complete institutional assessment and investigation of interest in participation is conducted.
With each organization, the idea is that by providing a welcoming space and appropriate training opportunities street children can gain access to sources of information and entertainment, focusing particularly on education and employment opportunities, and help with alcohol and drug abuse problems. Activities include:

1. Improving existing infrastructure for Internet access and use.
2. 
   
3. Providing training programs for selected youth, who can then act as trainers for their peers
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5. Documenting the experience and sharing lessons learned with other partners in the country or region.
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7. IDRC will use its network of partners and researchers to ensure cross-fertilization and mutual learning in relation to other relevant projects and activities underway in the region.

The Reality of Telecentro Ninos de la Calle, Esmeraldas:

The physical establishment of the telecentre and the technical installation is completed:

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• The work with the children is proceeding in an organised way. 20 hours formal training and 26 hours open access to street children and educators per week.
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• The training of the telecentre staff, co-workers and educators is undertaken on a regular basis. (Four courses in four month so far)
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• Chasquinet and CEFODI provide a continuous support service (including technical support) at the telecentre.

Inventory

N° Details
5 Computers
1 Intranet
1 Printer
3 Voltage Regulators
1 Air Conditioning
1 Electrical Installation
2 Phone lines
1 Phone
1 Local
1 Notice Board
1 Clock
Various computer consumables
2 Internet Access Account

Project money has been set aside for the purchase of additional computer equipment in the near future.

Remarks: Despite the fact that every possible due care has been taken, after only a short period of operation the telecentre encountered the same problems as other IT based projects in the region. The province of Esmeraldas is simply a "PC Graveyard". Due to the climatic conditions (humidity and head) and the infrastructure (the electrical installations encountered even in schools are often simply dangerous and for the telecentre a total re-installation was needed to ensure at least basic security standards, the electric power supply is reliable but delivers also high variations in voltage) already 2 PC's and voltage regulators had to replaced. The situation is made worse by the fact that no qualified Computer maintenance staff can be found in Esmeraldas. (Many middle and large size companies working with computers fly in their technicians to Esmeraldas from Quito). For the moment Chasquinet is providing technical support through its technical department but a more efficient solutions has to be found. The problem was addressed in the meeting and a solution implemented. (See below)

Staff:
1 Administrator/teacher (full time)
1 Manager (half time)
5 Educators

Users:

Regular weekly courses for 50 Street Children and 18 educators (Typical 2-3 hours per week, per person). 350 children and 50 educators are on a waiting list for formal courses. These cannot be served at the moment due to lack of space, time, staff and equipment.
Informal users, children of other Ninos de la Calle sections, on a drop in basis: 150

Challenges for the Future:

During a workshop held at the telecentre it became clear that whilst the telecentre did valuable work and had despite his short history already an huge impact it was also becoming was facing huge challenges in the future and drastic steps to address these had to be taken.

1. 
   
2. Due to the character of the project, only very short term funding is available (Until Jan 2001) and the project has to implement steps to reach self-sustainability immediately in order to continue its work in 2001.
3. 
   
4. The demands towards the telecentre by far excided his capacity and no plan for improving and expanding the service existed.
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6. Whilst all attempts are made to document the experiences made with the telecentre, no methology exists to register, measure and analyse the impact of the telecentre. An Evaluation strategy and concept has to be implemented.
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8. The street children currently involved in the project very easily adopt the use of computers and ICT's. The same is the case with the majority of the educators but the problem is that they are lacking experience in modern teaching methologies (Ecuadorian teaching methologies are totally "top down" and consist of pure lecturing and the children are expected to memorise unquestioning. The self-esteem workshop held with the educators showed that this is not simply solved by introducing new teaching methologies but the project has also to work with the educators on all aspects of personal development.
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10. Whilst the educational concepts used in the telecentre are sufficient and effective for the moment an expanded, more structured and targeted educational concept with a clear vision for the future has to be implemented.
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12. The telecentre does not reach enough children outside the existing Niños de la Calle project.
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14. Lack of efficient technical support.

Errors identified:

The main error of the project so far had been identified as that the project was totally mission driven by the goal achieving the best for the children but not keeping in the implementation of the project in mind the basic rules of self-sustainability and development vision for the future.

In order to provide a secure environment for the children and the telecentre itself the decision was made to place the Telecentre in a school near the centre of Esmeraldas but the telecentre itself is located 200 meters from the main road inside the school grounds. This choice resulted in two main disadvantages: no direct access to the telecentre for street children that are not already involved in the Niños de la Calle project and also no access for the general public to the telecentre. The first disadvantage is in contradiction to the goals and vision of the project and the second restricted the options of self-sustainability considerably and also the social function of the telecentre.

Technical capacitating and the introduction of new teaching methologies without also taking care of the self-esteem and personal development of the educators is short sighted and affect negatively the project outcome and effectiveness. This process has to be accompanied by strategies of measuring and evaluation.

Challenge:

Finding a strategy that improves the service to the children but also allows the project to achieve self-sustainability.

Looking for possible models of self-sustainability
(Keeping in mind the mission and the needs of the community)

The recently published book: "Assessing Community Telecentres. Guidelines for Researchers" by Anne Whyte, IDRC 2000, offers on page 38 a useful of list of possible revenue options, worth quoting here:

1. Grants
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3. Public subsidies
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5. Private donations, fund-raising events
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7. In-kind support (e.g., equipment, volunteers)
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9. Community support (e.g. rent-free building)
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11. Membership fees
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13. Revenues earned from core business:
    
    • Connectivity (phone, fax. Internet, web pages)
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    • Direct computer access to users
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    • Office services (photocopying, scanning, audiovisual aids
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15. Revenues earned from ancillary activities:
    
    • Business services (word-processing, spreadsheets, budget preparation, printing, reception services
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    • Educational services (distant education, training courses)
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    • Community services (meeting rooms, social events, local information, remittances from migrant workers)
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    • Telework and consulting
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    • Specialized activities (telemedicine)
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    • Sales (Stationary, stamps, refreshments, etc.)

All the options of the above list have been discussed in detail with the following results:

Grants. The project is based on a existing IDRC/DFAIT grant that is running out in Jan 2000 and a further grant is not likely as no indications in this directions have been made by the original funders. The project has too investigate if there are other funders available and has to prepare funding applications. However given the shortness of time between now (August) and the time the original funding runs out (January 2001) it is very uncertain that a funder can be found.

Public subsidies. Public subsidies are simply not available in Ecuador given the economical situation at the moment.

Private donations, fund-raising events. Esmeraldas is one of the poorest regions of Ecuador with a average income of USD 30 per month. Past experiences have shown that fundraising events show very poor results and private patronage was not forthcoming so far and cannot be expected in the future. However it might be worth a try to create a information brochure about he project and to approach private persons and companies active in the region, requesting support.

In-kind support: (e.g., equipment, volunteers). The project is supported by technology students of the catholic University of Esmeraldas who act as volunteer educators. This provides the students with valuable practical experience. Fundacion Chasquinet is supporting the project with equipment and technical support.

Community support: (e.g. rent-free building) The present local of the telecentre has been provided rent-free by the Salesianos Chico's de la Calle Project but all other costs connected with the local, like electricity, water etc. have to be covered by the project.

Membership fees: No membership fees can be asked for at the present as the Street Children have not the resources to contribute even a nominal sum. However a membership fee could be considered if the services are expanded to the wider public.

Revenues earned from core business: This option of self-sustainability had not been developed by the project. It was decided to develop a structure to offer the services of connectivity (phone, fax, Internet) direct computer access and scanning but at this stage not web pages as the expertise for this does not exist in the moment and not photocopying and audiovisual aids as either there are enough facilities available in the region or as lack of the necessary equipment and their high purchase costs (photocopier, data-show).

Revenues earned from ancillary activities: Business and reception services, telework and consulting, Special activities and community services can not be offered due to lack of expertise or available space. These services could be offered as the IT expertise of the project is developing.
remittances from migrant workers represents a very interesting element for self sustainability as Ecuador and in particular Esmeraldas are a remittance based economy, the costs of money transfers are very high ( typically 53 dollars per 1000 dollars transferred) and the project has with CEFODI and Chasquinet partners that have either experience in the implementation of the technology or long term experience with managing finance (CEFODI has a successful micro finance section).

Sales: If the telecentre could be opened up for the wider public revenue could be secured through sales of computer consumables.

How could the above mentioned possibilities of revenue generation be implemented in order to achieve self sustainability but at the same time to stay true to the mission and vision of the project and in order to strengthen and improve the project outcome and impact.?.

Decisions taken:

1. To rent a local in the commercial centre off Esmeraldas to ensure easy access of Street children not reached by the project so far and the wider public.
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3. To install a network of 5 computers
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5. The existing five computers will be moved to the new local. The network remains in the old local.
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7. Replacements for the computers in the old local will be urgently searched trough purchase or donations.
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9. 5 new additional computers are searched for the old and the new local.
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11. The new local will be used for 20 hours a week for closed training sessions with street children/educators
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13. The telecentre will be open to the public for the remainder of the time. The telecentre will offer for the public the following services: Usage of desktop PC, with and without Internet Printout, black/white, scanning, Fax, Internet telephony and sales.
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15. The capacitation courses have to include courses on the self-esteem and personal development of the educators and implementing such courses also for the street children should also be considered.
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17. The existing local will be used for further training courses for children and educators and for formal training courses for the general public as soon as replacement computers can be found.
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19. To employ one more telecentre administrator to cover for the additional workload created by the new local.
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21. To secure and make increased use of volunteers
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23. To implement an expanded training strategy. The project will seek to implement structured training courses for the children that result in training certificates that are internationally recognised.
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25. The project will establish in cooperation with Chasquinet, CEFODI and other organisation to be identified a business/carer/start up and further education program for those who have successfully completed the structured training courses.
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27. The implement a continuous measuring and evaluation program for the project.
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29. To seek outside funding for those elements of the project that cannot be funded through the project.
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31. To make all developed training materials and project document available to the public on the Ninos de la Calle WWW page in order to share experiences with other projects.
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33. To purchase the following additional equipment for the new local:
    
    • Scanner
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    • CD-Burner
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    • Fax machine
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    • Computer consumables for sale
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    • Furniture

Services to be implemented in the future

Remittance services ( in co-operation with Chasquinet and CEFODI)
Training courses to the general public, Web pages, Office services as soon as standard of expertise allow. These are all services with a high profit margin and it is important that these services are implemented in the first 6-9 month to generate revenue in order to reach true self-sustainability. These services are also very important for the vision of the project as they are offering sustainable employment and open chances for further development for Streets children that have successfully complete the respective courses.

Analysis:

The financial analysis shows that pure telecentres without an explicit social community orientated function are " good business " and reach self-sustainability and profitability very quickly. The problem arises when the telecentre takes on social functions like the free training and access for street children. The project can self-sustain itself and even provide a basic service too street children with the implementation of the new local but the project can clearly not generate at this stage the funds for expansion of the service.

What is the future of these projects?

We will have to explore the best ways of taking advantage of the opportunities that information and communication technologies offer to improve the quality of life for street children, as well as for society as a whole. For example, we will look for opportunities offered by telecentres to work with individuals or industries and establish commercial relationships.
The telecentre may have a role as a place for electronic commerce, so that the street kids benefit. In this way they can use the skills they've learned and get some professional training that can allow them to earn a decent living. We also need to share our findings and evaluate these experiences so we can optimise the operation of such telecentres and
explore opportunities to open new ones. If you could visit one of our telecentres, you would be astonished to see how enthusiastic the kids are to learn about the advantages that information and communication technologies offer.
Obviously, ICTs are not a global panacea against poverty, but they can be important allies to change lives and really make a difference. If you would like to know more about this project, please contact us and add your support to this initiative. Providing opportunities for better lives to street children is work for us all.

Testimonies:

"I am lucky to have this telecentre, and thanks to it, I am learning to scan photographs, take pictures, and design and print our 'bulletin of the children of the street' on the telecentre copier. This is the first time that I have had this opportunity and I see that we can offer these services to the local newspapers of Esmeraldas. The telecentre gives me the opportunity to work in something that I have always liked: computers and graphic design, and also, scanning pictures of my friend. Now, we are learning to post web pages and to make cards with our pictures. It's beautiful!" Oscar (15 years old)

"Since I started using the telecentre, I have been talking with Miguel of Concepción, Chile, using chat. Speaking [to him] through the computer has been a big adventure. I always thought that people spoke by telephone even though I have never had the opportunity to do so. Miguel from Chile has become my friend and he is helping me with some school work that we must complete for the Esmeraldas Street Children Program. He is also helping me to discover this world that I never knew existed."
Maria (13 years old)

"I like playing on the computer so much! I never thought that I would have this opportunity. Now I want to study programming and make my own programs and games. The telecentre has helped me a lot and more than anything, I am in contact with some friends in New York (Miguel and Juan). I only know them through the Internet. They are from Ecuador and we talk about which [web] sites have the best games. I am making a library for my friends here in Esmeraldas. Before, we didn't have any computers and now, I only think about passing the whole day here."
Juan (10 years old)

"Karin (from Chasquinet) showed me how to listen to music on the Internet. Sometimes the connection fails, so it occurred to me to use [web] sites such as AMARC where they post music and I can record it onto a compact disk. She told me that it was possible to do this, and I am waiting for the day when they bring us a CD burner and I can make my own discs. I would also like to send music from Esmeraldas. If I manage to make my own CDs, I'm going to give them to the local radio stations because they always repeat the same music. She promised to return next month to teach me how to do this."
Pedro (15 years old)

"For me the telecentre is groovy, because through it we can go to the Internet and in the Internet I could know about strange countries, share ideas, know more about the geography, flora and fauna; and besides, it enriches our knowledge".
Karina (11 years old)

"Kids with whom we work come from very poor families, and their access to education is limited. The Internet is going to help them as a huge library, a great way to improve their education". Ivan C., Coordinator, Street Children Project
(Esmeraldas)

Project Information

Total budget in US$ : -

Contact Information

Klaus Stoll

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