Making a Difference to the Lives of Street Children

COSTA RICA — The Bible Society of Costa Rica is aiming to change the lives of some of the estimated 143,000 street children who work the streets of the capital, San José, and other towns.

Working with other agencies which are also helping street children, and with Christian families, the Bible Society aims to use the Scriptures to bring hope and help to young beggars, street vendors and prostitutes.

The main thrust of this project, which is supported by Opportunity 21, is through a special children’s club called Nofetin (Beehive in Hebrew). The children who attend the club, which was launched last June, are encouraged to act as evangelists, taking the Scriptures to other children.

Selected street children will be given the opportunity to learn to read and write, and will hopefully be able to read the New Testament within a year. They will also be helped to develop useful skills that will enable them to build a better life.

Businesses

The Society hopes that some 300 street children can be re-educated through the project. Volunteers are encouraging support from local businesses both in kind and in financial commitment for the three-year program.

One of the first events organised by the children’s club was a concert which sought to raise funds for Renacer (meaning Rebirth) – the only organisation in Costa Rica helping to rehabilitate young prostitutes and girls at risk. Renacer is hoping to build a refuge for the many girls it is helping. About 100 of them are already being cared for in private homes.

“Surrounded by a population which prefers to turn a blind eye to a growing problem, the volunteers are trying hard to do what they can with little help or recognition from other organisations.”

Run by volunteers, the club, which had 500 children attending in September, now organises activities every two months. Social activities such as games, Bible stories and quizzes, competitions and concerts not only help to raise funds for the equipment and materials needed to help the street children, they also raise social awareness of the problem and of the ways in which people can help.

The club focuses on learning more about the Bible and reaching others through the Word of God. The Bible Society provides Selections that the children can distribute. Following the club’s September meeting it was decided to organise classes for parents to help them teach their children more about the Bible.

The Society aims to distribute Scriptures to 100,000 households where there are children in need. By October last year, 10,000 New Reader Selections had been produced for children at risk to read with their parents.

Feedback

The feedback has been encouraging. People involved in providing social help amongst their own communities say that they are feeling new support for what they are trying to achieve.

Surrounded by a population which prefers to turn a blind eye to a growing problem, the volunteers are trying hard to do what they can with little help or recognition from other organisations.

Mrs Elia Palacios, who runs weekly groups for poor children, said, “The activities [of the club] are delightful, and this helps me to involve the children more in the things of God. They really enjoy it.”

A boy who is a member, 11-year-old Mauricio Saenz, said, “The club has helped me to learn more about God.”

In addition to helping Renacer with Scriptures, the Bible Society has provided Scriptures to a women’s organisation and to a school that helps young drug addicts, alcoholics and victims of sexual abuse.

By making its contribution to the under-privileged and forgotten people in Costa Rican society, the Bible Society hopes also to prompt other organisations and individuals to do likewise. (WR 357/06 - 1/2.01)