STREET CHILDREN

Tiwala has thoroughly researched the situation with street children in the Bicol region. While there are many children on the streets, most of these children have homes in nearby villages but prefer to be on the streets rather than with their families for reasons such as being neglected or abused at home. Some children are sent to beg for their families, while others are sent to work for their families (usually gathering garbage for recycling or working as parking attendants). Some street children have run away from home and others simply choose to be on the streets as they find acceptance, favour, money, food and recreation there. Some of the children sleep on the streets, whereas others frequent the streets but sleep in their homes late at night, occasionally staying overnight on the street.

Tiwala is currently working with the street children in Legazpi City and runs a program called 'Kalye Tiwala' ('Tiwala Street'), which incorporates the following:

Alternative Learning System (ALS)

Basic Literacy & Accelerated Learning Course for Out-of-School Youth

Kids Tutorials

Kinder & Elementary Level Tutorials for Unschooled Street Children

Kids & Youth Church

Worship & Devotion
Bible Stories & Study
Related Workshops: arts & crafts, creative writing, drama, music, dance

Tiwala Jam

Christian Music Workshop for Street Boys & Inner-City Youth

Feeding & Nutrition

Daily Feeding for Street Children & Malnourished Children from the City Slums
Health Care & Hygiene Training for Street Children

Counselling

Regular One-to-One Counselling for Street Children & Inner City Youth
Home Visits to Relatives of Street Children (if any), Encouraging Reintegration of Street Children into Families