The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves - Helen Keller
1. Outreach
This is the core of our ministry to street children. Twice each week our field workers gather children on the streets to talk with them, encourage them, share Christ with them, pray with them, and even play football with them. We then serve them all a hot lunch. This time is important for many children. It is a chance for them to experience interaction with an adult they can trust, who cares for and about them. This outreach time also provides an opportunity to identify children who will be brought into House of Mercy Children's Home. Constant work is done with street youth in providing medical care, help with identity cards and with daily life.
Specialists all agree that the best solution is for the child to return home as family settings are the best places for children to grow up. Keeping children connected with living relatives gives them roots, an identity, and a sense of belonging, with the knowledge of “where I’m from”. Street children will be reunited with their parents, families, relatives and well-wishers where possible and helped to re-integrate into the community. This keeps relationships open and reinforces familiarity, which will be important if children desire to move back to their communities after graduating from our programmes.
But when there is no alternative and the child is under 15 and still very much a child, the child will be admitted into our home. What the street child needs more than anything is to be safe at night and to be shown some affection.
MdM’s goal is to eventually reunite the child with his family, whenever that is in the child's best interest. In the alternative, he or she may remain in our care till he attains majority.
Education is an integral part of MdM's programme. Because a street child may have been on the streets for an extended time, whether he is six or sixteen, he probably has had little or no schooling. This is why MdM enrolls the children in neighbouring local schools and engages tutors to help them in their studies. Tutors prepare the children for school if they have been out for some time. Children who are at the primary and secondary school level are placed in an appropriate day school when they are ready. Our goal is to graduate them at about age 18 and help them to find a job that will allow them to become self-supporting.
MdM's programme recognises that not every child does well in a formal educational setting. Some have reduced learning capabilities due to the effects of their experiences on the streets, particularly sniffing glue. Others simply do not have the aptitude for typical classroom learning. Our approach to these children is not to leave them behind, but rather to provide them with a broad range of vocational training.
Girls will be offered a choice of skills training, such as tailoring, hairdressing and computer services. Some will be encouraged to work in one of several small businesses to learn business skills. Internships in businesses will teach them how to do the skills needed, how to run the business, record-keeping and so on.
Central to MdM's philosophy is the concept that each child must be viewed and treated as unique and priceless. Our aim is to know and love each child individually. The care, love and teaching MdM provides is adjusted to meet the needs and special dreams of each child.
Every child is encouraged to develop his own special talents and interests. To that end, MdM will establish various clubs and groups, including a football team, an Art and Drama club, Gymnastics Club and Music Group. We will also involve the boys in community service projects, such as clearing public areas of trash and debris.
7. Character
It is also the basis for the development of character and sound moral values. These are an integral part of the MdM school curriculum and are modelled in the lives and actions of members of the staff. For children used to the lawlessness of the streets, learning right from wrong is essential for them to succeed as adults and become constructive and contributory members of society.
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity - Martin Luther King, Jr.
bravenet.com