FUNDACION NITCA

Center establised to tend Children working on the Streets.

NITCA: Niños Trabajadores de la Calle

FUNDACION NITCA
nitca_01@yahoo.es

Lic. Marcia Gomez
gomezmarcia@hotmail.com

Rosa Capella
rosacapella@hotmail.com

What is NITCA
NITCA stands for Street Working Children (Niños Trabajadores de la Calle). It is a grass roots community based program born in July 1999, to improve the condition of children who work the streets to help the economy of their families.

Located in El Barrio Los Laureles Sur, Managua, Nicaragua. The population was conformed of families displaced by war and natural disaster.

In 1999, 70% of the population was unemployed and 65% illiterate. Malnutrition was rampant and children grew riddle with sickness, the worst of them: HUNGER. Other impediments were housing, hygiene and transportation.

NITCA's Mission
To face the problem of poverty through education, nutrition, hygiene and health care. The program is based on community development and the empowerment of the families through training and work opportunities.

NITCA's Vision
A community that recognizes the Child and Adolescent as subjects of "Rights"; by that meaning the right to study and to be prepared to become a participant citizen of his/her country.

An empowered community self-sufficient to have a dignified economy.

No ray of sunshine is ever lost,
but the green which it awakens into existence
needs time to sprout,
and it is not always granted
for the sower to see the harvest.
All work that is worth anything is done in faith.

Albert Schweitzer

Barrio Los Laureles Sur

Located in the periphery of Dist. VI, South East of Managua. It borders with communities named: Sabana Grande, Los Corteses and Jaguitas.

Approximated population is 15,000 inhabitants; from which 6,500 are Children and Youth.

Its extension is about 300 square blocks, divided into seven Sectors. The majority of Its inhabitants come from rural communities central and North Nicaragua.

  • According to Police data from Dist. VI, this barrio has one of the highest index of delinquency, inter-family violence and children mistreatment.
  • 70% of the populations is unemployed or sub employed. (Diagnostic taken in 2007 by Foundation Impulso).
  • Therefore the populations is considered very vulnerable; a good majority of housing are in precarious conditions: not having the space, the families live with no privacy which leads to promiscuity.