Everything we do in our Outreach work is rooted in the belief that by journeying alongside children and young people and by building their self-esteem and empowering them to take ownership of their own lives, lasting change can be achieved. We engage children and young people while they are on the street, building relationships with them based on trust that enables our workers to understand their needs.
We believe these young people should be safe, included and have full access to their rights.
Street Work: We support children and young people whilst they are living and/or working on the street and on dumpsites on a daily basis; we build relationships with them so that they begin to trust our team of Street Workers and Social Workers and have someone they can turn to. Our team are their only trusted adults in an emergency or when they need support.
Street Soccer: Our Street based Sports Programmes delivered in the City Centre and on Kiberani Dumpsite gives an opportunity to children and young people to play and feel safe in their own environment. They also access support from trusted adults in the form of our Street Workers, Football coaches and Social Workers. Children and young people also have to the opportunity to access first aid and a healthy nutritious meal
Papasa: We offer children and young people respite from the daily challenges of street life at our Drop In Centre; giving access to safe spaces to play sports, take part in creative arts sessions, education sessions for those who want to return to school and those who want to learn to read and write. Clean water for washing and drinking, a hot nutritious meal, counselling sessions and 1:1s where children and young people can begin to think, if they choose, about a life away from the streets.
“I have a talent and the only people that see it in me is Glad’s House. People think that because I live on the street I am an animal, but here we are valued as a human being with love and care. Papasa is my family”
Mobile School
At the centre of the Mobile School approach is the focus on improving child or young person’s self-esteem. Most of the children and young people we work with on the streets have experienced significant trauma in their lives, often before they come to the streets as well as once they are homeless. For most, their self-esteem is severely damaged. Mobile School does not aim to replace the traditional curriculum, but instead focuses on building self-respect. With a non-judgmental and constructive approach, the children and young people are offered a chance to reflect upon their identity and situation in a positive environment with trusted adults.