Mapping Of Street Children

MAPPING OF STREET CHILDREN’S ISSUES and CONCERNS, EXISTING PROGRAMS/SERVICES, GAPS & RECOMMENDATIONS The Street Children when we are working with… • • •

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Mostly are boys, average age is 12-15 years old More than half of them are enrolled in public elementary school Almost all are living with their families, either on the streets (street families) or in a rented room in one of the marginalized areas within Cubao such as Escopa 3 and 4, 138 and 139 Ermin Garcia, 116 New York, Arayat, Harvard, along EDSA- Kamias and others. Average numbers of siblings are 4. Average years of staying in the street are 4-6 years, for 7-12 hours everyday. Primary reasons for staying in the streets: to work as barker, vendor (sampaguita, yellow corn, roasted peanuts, etc.), baggage boy at NEPA Q-Mart, errand boy of sidewalk vendors and neighbors; to play and to hang-out with friends.

Priority Issues, Needs and Concerns….. • •

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There are at least 30 teenaged chronic rugby sniffing street children within the commercial district of Cubao who needs intensive rehabilitation and after care program. There are at least 62 street families with an average of two children each along the stretch along Aurora Boulevard alone starting from 15th Avenue up to Balete Drive. This includes sidewalk vendors who tag along children while vending. Working street children is growing in number especially in the NEPA Q-Mart. Lingap Pangkabataan Inc., is working with 43 working street children in Escopa 3 and 4 and NEPA Q-Mart. Scavenging, barking for FX Taxi, sidewalk vending which are the main sources of income of street dwellers and families of community-based street has been considered illegal by the government. Limited access of street children and their families to health and sanitation services/facilities. Continuity and sustainability of spiritual development activities at the community level. Play and recreational facilities and services limited to the community children.