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Indonesia Sets 2014 Target for Pulling Children Off Streets

The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs wants to see all homeless children off the streets by 2014, Minister Salim Segaf Aljufri said on Saturday during a trip to one of the capital’s slums. “West Java has targeted to clear street children by 2014. We will be evaluating [this program] and establishing partnerships,” the minister said during a visit to the Jati Bunder area of Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta, to see those in the targeted group for himself. The Bandung City Administration last year planned on offering the approximately 2,000 street children an amount of Rp 1.5 million ($150) each annually as part of the “Bandung Free of Street Children in 2014” program. According to the ministry, programs during 2011 resulted in 80 percent of street children being removed from the streets. In Jakarta, a program similar to that in Bandung was successful in helping 8,000 children. An earlier statement by the minister said Indonesia was home to a total of 4.5 million street children. During the Saturday visit, the ministry also called on regional governments to prioritize budget allocations to ensure the safety, health and education of these children, in addition to funds from the state budget. Ramadan raids In the city center, the existence of street children remains evident as they work on main roads washing car windows and selling newspapers. Law enforcement institutions have moved to carry out raids, taking at-risk children to orphanages. In a report by JPPN.com, North Jakarta Satpol PP head Supartono said reports from residents had become an important part of the agency’s operation to clear beggars and homeless children as police would not have known about several spots without their help. The agency has also decided to ramp up its operations during the month of Ramadan in order to work with children who attend free pre-dawn meals in a program known as “Sahur on the Road.” Supartono called on residents and mass organizations to report any events that were found intrusive or disorderly, especially during Ramadan. “Mass organizations are prohibited from conducting raids, but monitoring and reporting is clearly a collective responsibility,” he said, as quoted by JPPN.com. In a recent raid, Satpol PP’s operational division chief Salmon Nadapdap said his personnel launched intense monitoring in North Jakarta for Ramadan, taking up to 13 people off the streets in one day. According to Salman, the growing number of beggars during Ramadan has become an annual cycle, but he vowed to continue conducting operations around the North Jakarta area. “We will continue to put efforts into creating a sense of security for the residents [of North Jakarta], especially considering this is the month of Ramadan,” he said . The North Jakarta Satpol PP has deployed more than 15 of its personnel. Public initiatives As the government mulls over its plan to eliminate street children across the archipelago, many public initiatives and organizations have made serious efforts to take these children off the streets — where various threats, including drug use and sexual abuse, remain prevalent — and to improve their livelihood. Such organizations would often provide free education and temporary shelters where children can gain basic knowledge on different subjects and even be funded to enter higher education institutions. Among them is the Mosque Terminal School, popularly known as “Master,” in Depok, West Java, which has been providing free education since 2002 for over a thousand street children. Some of its alumni have now started attending higher education institutions such as the University of Indonesia, the Diponegoro University and the Jakarta State University. In recent days, however, the establishment has been subject to threats of eviction under the city administration’s new development plans which include the construction of an apartment and a shopping center on the land currently used by the school. The news has sparked angry responses from both alumni of the school as well as students from the University of Indonesia, which is located nearby. Several students have therefore taken to social media to spread the word on the issue and to earn support. “Our activities start from media campaigns through a Twitter account … legal advocacy and fund-raising,” said Muhammad Anggraito, a fund-raising coordinator for the Save Master Indonesia movement who is also a member of UI’s Student Executive body. Those participating in the campaign hope to raise the public’s awareness about the future of this free school for street children. The Depok City Administration said the news surrounding Master School’s eviction was untrue, arguing the public had misinterpreted information from city officials. from http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/indonesia-sets-2014-target-for-pulling-children-off-streets/

Number of homeless kids up or down? New report gives clearer state progress picture

Kentucky Housing Corporation has released the Children and Youth Findings for the Progress Report on Ending Homelessness, a report describing the trends and changes in the homeless population in all counties except Jefferson and Fayette, called the Balance of State. The report highlights an increase in homeless children under the U.S. Department of Education McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act definition, but a decrease in homeless children under the definition by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. From 2009-2013, according to the definition used by the DOE, the number of homeless children has increased 6.45 percent. According to the definition used by HUD, the number of homeless children in Kentucky has decreased 24 percent annually from 2009-2013 in the Balance of State. The definition of homelessness used by DOE is much broader than the HUD definition of homelessness. Namely, DOE counts children who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or awaiting foster care placement; living in substandard housing; or migratory children defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. HUD does not include any of these children in its numbers. “We work diligently to ensure we have analyzed the data thoroughly to give the most accurate picture possible of Kentucky’s homeless youth,” said KHC Executive Director J. Kathryn Peters. “The differing standards are necessary given the reporting criteria of various government entities, and KHC is proud to be part of the effort to share with the public just how extensive the needs are of these youngest Kentuckians who rely heavily on the services provided by our partners.” According to the report, Kentucky families are becoming resourceful in locating housing by means other than a homeless assistance provider. Kentucky has made steps to provide local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and their families. All school districts in the Commonwealth have at least one liaison, according to the report. Anyone who knows of a family or child in need is encouraged to contact their local school district homelessness liaison. A list of liaisons is available on the Kentucky Department of Education website, under Title II-State & Federal Programs. A copy of the liaisons also appears in the report. The Children and Youth Findings is the third in a series. Future reports will examine domestic violence survivor homelessness, as well as the impact of disabilities on homeless individuals. The report is available on KHC’s website, under Specialized Housing, Resources. From http://www.kyforward.com/our-government/2014/01/22/number-of-homeless-kids-up-or-down-new-report-gives-clearer-state-progress-picture/

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GNML Session #6, Youth Teaches (Youtube video)

Hi! I just published the video of  "Youth Teaches" movement on youtube.

Homeless teens see way out through education

I just got a good articles in News about education and homeless people. Here is the link: http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-12-22/news/fl-childrens-fund-salvation-army-20131222_1_sun-sentinel-children-homeless-teens-salvation-army .

There is an organization named Salvation Army. They also have a similar program as "Youth Teaches" named "Yes Kids Can!". It is a mentoring and tutoring program for teens living in transitional housing. It is a very good source of inspiration to start our movement, "Youth Teaches". They publish their program and find funding via internet also. Their website is salvationarmy.org. Besides, They also use other media included this news itself to publish their program and rising fund.

This news also said that one of the problem that is faced by education for homeless kids is the parents are also don't get education. Mosh of the parents did not graduate from High School. It makes the situation worse because Nobody encourages the homeless kids to get education. So for many kids a degree is often a far off dream, unless they have encouragement.

We will also face this problem in Jakarta. We need to provide counceling not only for the kids, but also their parents about the importance of education and also encourage them to continue education by joining our movement.