UNHEARD
VOICES
BY:RUBIA DE AVILA
Street youth, what do they mean to you? Through your
eyes are they part of your community, or just one more problem? Do
kids on the streets choose to live there?
"I had no choice but to live my life on the streets", said Carlos
Fernandes.
Carlos a 16 year old teenager came from a poor family in Guatemala
a year ago. His family struggled a lot in order to buy him a
flight ticket to Canada. Carlos' family sent their son to Canada
in order to give him a better life, They also wished that by
sending Carlos to the dream land, he would be able to help them
financially some day.
Carlos' life in Canada didn't quite turn out the way his parents
wished. Carlos didn't know anyone in Toronto and didn't speak any
English. His chances for success were limited. Carlos ended up in
a shelter among many other youth who had left their homes.
"I hated living in shelters, I felt like I was being watched
by someone all the time". He became friends with a bad crowd who
taught him many criminal actions. Carlos at the time didn't like
the idea of living in shelters, so he decided to live his life on
the streets, were he found freedom but also slavery in his
addiction to drugs. Carlos formerly known as Carlitos, liked
living in the streets where he had friends who promised to be by
his side no matter what.
Today he thinks differently. Thanks to Susana Domingues, a
former Spanish teacher and counsellor of the Toronto area, Carlos
changed his life for the better.
Many street kids can relate to Carlos' life story, but a person
who never went through what Carlos and many others do, may not see
their point of view and see them as lazy teenagers. To help the
ones who are not familiar with street kids but wish to understand
them, David Morley executive director of Pueblito Canada shares
his knowledge on street youth. Morley believes that kids don't
always choose to live on the streets, they may see the streets as
their only way to escape from the unhealthy environment they live
in. On the other hand there are those who seek freedom and believe
that the streets can be just like paradise.
Pueblito Canada helps youth who are faced with physical and mental
abuse and, for who see the streets as their only way of
escape.
" I don't think kids really like living on the streets, the only
reason they end up in the streets is due to their wish to live
life in total freedom"said Morley. "Kids don't want to follow
rules, they prefer to make their own believing they are
independent and mature". Many streets youth choose not to live in
shelters because they don't like to follow rules" said Fernandes.
Morley doesn't believe that all youth are against rules, he thinks
that many stay on the streets because they have lost their self
esteem along with any hope of succeeding in life.
Pueblito Canada is one of the many Canadian organizations who
works hard in order to assist youth in need across Latin
America.
Ron Walkers the President of Pueblito Canada reports that the
journey continues: "In 1995, Pueblito entered its 21st year of
working in partnership with grassroots organizations in Latin
America to build brighter futures for children. As I reflect on
the changes and growth of the past 20 years, I can't help but look
back to our early financial statements.
In 1974 our total revenues amounted to $13,268. In 1995 Pueblito
generated $ 1,493,594 to help children in Latin America. This
growth means a better life for thousands of children. With
Pueblito's growth has come learning and understanding. Our
partners have shown us how small our world really is and how
fragile is the balance between progress and sustainability. We
have learned how we can help challenge the forces that allow
poverty and abuse to flourish. We have also learned to educate
Canadians about their responsibilities in a global village".
David Morley, Executive Director of Pueblito Canada learned about
street youth when working with organizations and events from Latin
America like: " O Movimento nacional De Meninos e Meninas De Rua".
This event occurred in Brasilia the capital city of Brazil on
October 14-20.
The Movimento Nacional de meninos e meninas de rua is a well known
non governmental organization in Brazil, founded in 1985. This
organization consists of volunteers from across Latin America
whose goals are to give street youth from around Latin America a
chance of a better life by being educated, fed and dressed
properly.
Pueblito Canada worked hard among many other multicultural
organizations trying to aid the Movimento nacional de meninos e
meninas de rua.
Pueblito Canada has helped Brazil, Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador,
Guatemala, and the Domenican Republic with projects of housing the
homeless. "Changing the lives of children and communities takes
time; there are no quick fixes. It requires commitment, hard work
and the ability to defy adversity".
"We are proud of our partners, and feel fortunate to be part
of an important and powerful connection between Canadians and
Latin Americans. Through partnership there is a chance." Said
Morley.
Before you criticize a youth for being in the streets, take a
minute or two to analyse their reasons for being there. Criticism
is not the key to gaining knowledge, educate yourself in order to
understand others' feelings!
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