Introduction to the Manual

Working with street children can be challenging but it can also be immensely rewarding. Day in, day out, organisations around the world are working in some of the poorest and most dangerous areas of our world helping those children who, for whatever reason, find themselves living on the streets. This manual is designed to bring together the many years of experience which these organisations have and to provide easy to use guidance for those who are either looking to start work with street children or who want to consider how they can improve or develop the services they currently offer.

What does this manual contain?

Work with all types of street children is valuable and there are different methods which are more appropriate to different types of street children. This manual focuses purely on what we might call street-living children - those children who are spending all their time on the street and who very rarely, if ever, go ‘home’ to sleep.

The information in this manual is based on years of experience. The methods and approaches outlined within it are tried and tested and have been proven to work in a variety of situations and cultures. The manual begins by considering how we can work with the children on the streets and takes the reader through the stages which are needed to help children to make the transition from street life to life in a home.

What this manual does not contain

As this manual is focused on street-living children only, it does not contain any information on prevention type work which aims to reduce the flow of children taking to the streets.

It is also worth noting that this manual does not contain any information on some of the newer approaches to street children which are currently being developed by various organisations around the world. These include techniques such as Early Encounters, micro-finance and business skills training for older youth, football academies, circuses and street children’s banks. More information on these newer types of approach will be available on the 180 degrees website in due course www.streetchildrenglobal.org

Introducing Jonah

Jonah is eight years of age. He was recently orphaned and is now alone and trying to survive on the streets of Kenya. What will happen to him next? That all depends on the type of help and support which he receives. It is our prayer that this manual will be of help to all those people who are striving to ensure that children like Jonah are given the opportunities and chances that they need to be able to enjoy life in all its fullness. May God bless and protect you as you seek to serve Him through your service of children like Jonah.

The 180 degrees team

Return to top

 

Accessing the Manual

The 180° Alliance Manual is for members only. To find out more about becoming a member or affiliate, please visit the 'Be part of 180° Alliance' page.

Return to top