Programa Sarantenani, Bolivia

There are approximately 400 children ranging in ages from six to 18 who live on the streets of La Paz, Bolivia with the streets being their only means of subsisting. It is for these children, who have been totally abandoned by society that the Saranteñani program has been established. Both a social movement and a community of street children and youth, the program strives to raise the status of children as agents for change. Mainly centred in La Paz, it is a pioneer program involving children and teens helping one another. The program has been in place for six years, supported by strong community participation.

The children are involved not only in their own educational and training activities but also in the planning, decision making, and evaluation processes. Based on their needs and interests, the program has developed in three distinct areas, structured on a system that provides health, education, recreation, and instruction services. Child labour supplies 28% of the work force in La Paz and the Saranteñani program prepares and integrates these children of the streets into this population.

The health services reach all the children, giving them check-ups twice a year.

The educational services have reduced school dropout rates from 60% to 29% and have managed to raise the level of university graduates or vocational graduates from 12% to 15% of the population. In the past the street children did not go to school at all. However, once they are involved in the program, 90% enter school. This includes both girls and boys. Hand-in-hand with education, there is an intensive focus on their lives with the aim of aiding them in forging a positive and solid self-image and in reconnection to society at large.

Believing it is not enough to develop only the mind, recreational skills are also developed. The level of competence in sports has seen youths participating in national competitions including setting a national record.

In the last three years, 138 adolescents have graduated from technical institutions in fields including carpentry, leather working, electricians, metal mechanics, and car mechanics. Of these 82 are presently working at their professions.

Although we have had meaningful successes, we have also encountered difficulties with pedagogical, economic, and organisation aspects, particularly with creating a true organisation of the population to vindicate itself. The program functions both at a regional and a national level. A second national congress has been scheduled where the problems and solutions for the program will be discussed.