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Rodrigo * Bonilla

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Added: 2002-08-08 15:12
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100498 - Exploring connectivity for street kids in Latin America (Interim Report)
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José María González B.

Mid-project Progress Report


The Street Children project is about using the Internet to create links between street children and others actors in society in order to help them solve their problems and create opportunities for a better life. 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 objectives

The objectives of the project are: 
  • To set up two pilot experiences using Internet resources with street children in Latin America (Ecuador and Colombia); 
  • To document the learning processes; and 
  • To assess the potential of a larger research and intervention project using Internet with street kids in Latin America. 

The expected outcome

By June 2000: Production of one short video on the actual and potential uses of Internet with street kids; production of Web pages for both foundations; and, production of one brochure illustrating one of the pilot partner organizations and their work with street children using Internet resources. 

By January 2001: Production of a short documentary on the uses of Internet resources by street kids in Colombia and Ecuador  changed to the realization of a workshop in Bogotá; preparation of a descriptive paper analyzing the experiences using Internet resources with street kids in the pilot cases, with additional insights from other experiences in the region; and, preparation of a concept paper for a 3 year plan to expand this initial exploration using Internet resources with street kids to other countries. 

The results up to October 10: 

Project was launched by Minister Axworthy on the OAS meeting in Windsor in June 4, 2000. Preparatory work included the elaboration of a 4 minute video, a flyer and a poster.  A public presentation was made in Ottawa on June 8 . 

Installations of the equipment were successfully accomplished by June in Ecuador (one site) and by August in Colombia (8 sites). A total of 18 new computers were installed and 20 were refurbished and relocated. 

Training programs were set up and started with the staff (teachers, administrative and therapists) and continued with the street children. An estimate of 120 children have been trained in the basic skills in Colombia and more than 150 street children and youth have had introductory courses in Ecuador. Training of more the 40 staff and teachers has been accomplished in Colombia and 18 in Ecuador. 

Communications have improved between the street children and other actors inside and outside of the organizations, nationally and internationally. Teachers and therapists have saved time (at least 30 %) in terms of writing of reports and communicating with children and staff. The organization has made significant savings in telephone and mail bills. Parallel processes of communication (establishment of direct relationships) have been occurring. 

The access to computers and Internet has opened the possibilities to search for answers for the people involved improving the information flow at all levels.

Street children, youth and staff people feel highly motivated to use of computers and the navigation through Internet. 

Income generation opportunities have been identified and involve street children, youth, teachers and staff. Computer literacy provides street children with better job opportunities in their local context. 

A cultural change is expected when the computers are introduced in the communities involving street children and youth. Mayor change identified is the change from a verbal communication to a written one. Impact on the long run is unknown. This form of communication has partially eliminated time, location and language barriers 

The use of computers has encouraged them to improve reading, writing and other language skills. Improvements in fine motility can be detected. 

Risks are present. Pornography, Satanism, unrestricted chat and others are readily accessible to children and youth in the Internet. Awareness on the staff side and a clear understanding of the situation will permit to deliver a structured preventive program for the children and youth.

Initial direct observations, together with a systematic and longer follow up on them, will be definitive to obtain a broader base of knowledge to conclude on the lessons learned. The observations have shown that the overall impact on the street children and youth as well as in the organizations involved is very positive. 

When given a good opportunity to rehabilitate from the street life, street children and youth show that they can become valuable members of a society. 

Guidelines

Four areas have been considered as important to define a 3 to 5 year intervention program relating the connectivity and access to Internet for street children: Context of the intervention, Focus , People and organizations involved and Technology.

The context for the intervention has to take into account the location, the unsatisfied basic needs of the population, the free time available of the children at risk, and the weakness of the family structure. 

The focus of the intervention should be done predominantly on the prevention side. The treatment of affected population should be taken into account. A 70 – 30 ratio is suggested.

Within the project several organizations have been contacted and involved. It is thought that a coalition between these organizations, building upon the strengths of each of them, could have the technical and practical knowledge to move forward into a 3 to 5 year plan.

Two main areas should be explored forward from the technology standpoint when thinking of giving access to the population at risk, mainly street children and youth. 

  • Computers and software and 
  • Connectivity. 
Computers and software will permanently change. Upgrades should be made possible with the least cost possible. Connectivity in economically depressed places will be a significant issue to address. 

Next steps of the project

The meeting in Bogota (November, 2000) will bring about a significant contribution to the project. The main objective will be to “take stock” of the pilot experiences and analyze other experiences. There will efforts directed towards the definition of the population objective, their needs and expectations. Develop a programmed action towards looking to the strengths and weaknesses of the group and establishing a joint vision and an initial plan for intervention. 



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