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El Caracol, founded 10 years ago, is an organization
dedicated to providing holistic care to children and youths living in the
streets and to those at risk of joining the street population. El Caracol is based on the active participation
and the exercising of the children's rights, which is reflected in their
research, development and socialization of the methods of intervention, along
with the educational material.
The history of El Caracol began in 1987, when a group of
university colleagues initiated a Community based psychological programme
called Nequetzaliztli in the Chimalhuacan area of the State of Mexico; where
activities included literacy classes, groups of housewives, educational children's
groups and a practical workshop of the
clothing industry.
The program was founded on
the importance of genuine interaction and communication between parents and
children, through the participation of parents in the educational activities of
their children. After several years, the organization added to their
methodology, the reduction of physical abuse against children and therefore,
implemented productive workshops towards that aim. This project was adopted by
the community which formed a Civil Association, which continues operating
today..
While working with children
in Chimalhuacan, the founders of El Caracol arrived in plaza Garibaldi in the
center of Mexico City
where they came to know and understand the plight of the street youth.. In 1992
the group participated in a educational project for street educators, giving
rise to implementation of educational work with street youth,
Around 1993, it was proposed
to develop an educational program for Casa Ecuador, including weekly
assembles, preparation for course examinations, educational methodology. The
founders´ experience consolidated the work team and its educational approach
towards street youth.
In 1994, El Caracol became a
Civil Association, an organization dedicated to working with children and youth
living in the streets- The methodology revolved around three main programs:
SOS en las calles, an educational strategy
designed to give street youth tools to avoid high-risk behavior that may lead
towards death with the goal of uprooting the youth from the streets. This work is carried out on the streets,
vacant lots and sewers of Mexico City.
Transition House: Provides
space for personalized attention through human development in order to distance
the youth from the streets and from the consumption of substances.
Padres y amigos, A community based programs
founded on the ideals of healthy ways of living within the family and community
to increase family affection in order to distance it from violence, delinquency
and drugs.
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