In 2008, 180° established two ‘hubs’, one in Recife, Brazil and one in Manila, the Philippines.  

‘Hubs’ are cities (rather than districts or countries) chosen by 180° as strategic locations where the impact of work among street children could be maximised. The criteria for selecting hub locations are: a significant population of street children; NGOs and projects actively working with them; but no functioning alliance or network.

The purpose of these hubs is to focus the working group ‘themes’ of 180° in specific locations in order to maximise impact in a structure which is measurable and manageable. The hubs focus on mapping, supporting and enhancing the working of smaller projects working with street children (up to 15 staff). 180° plans to multiply these hubs in strategic locations across the world.

Here is a summary on the work of the two current hubs:

Recife, Brazil

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Recife city lies on the North-East coast of Brazil. It has a sizable population of street children but no existing network among the organisations working with them and was therefore a strategic choice for a 180° hub. Recife has attracted attention recently due to it increasingly becoming a location for sex tourism, particularly targeting children (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4061325.stm) This is a danger to all vulnerable children in the city, especially children living on the street and desperately looking for ways to survive.

The activity of the hub so far has concentrated on assessing the situation for street children in the city and the needs of small projects working with them. 12 projects have been brought together in a network for collaborative action that did not exist before and have begun meeting regularly. Also, 10 projects have been identified for accreditation and good links built with Government and civil society organisations.

In order to support the implementation of child protection policies in all projects which are part of the 180° street children’s network in Recife, 180° is translating the ‘Keep the Children Safe’ material into Portuguese. This will also be made accessible across Brazil. 180° has formed a coalition with Rede Mãos Dadas and Tearfund UK for this to happen.

For more information, please contact: Teresa Santos (teresa.santos@180degreesalliance.org) or 55-81-88313789.

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Manila, Philippines

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The vast and sprawling capital of the Philippines is well-known for its large number of street children, many of whom survive by scavenging on the rubbish dumps, working as street vendors (selling items such as flowers, newspapers and rugs) and begging. Government numbers estimate 222,400 street children, up to a quarter living in Metro Manila (http://www.newint.org/issue377/lean-joy.htm).

Due to the size of the city, 180° has focused activity on two districts (Legaspi, Bicol and Cagayan De Oro, Mindanao), which will build on strengthening existing networks and increasing the involvement of former street children. The networks will focus particularly on strengthening organisations in the areas of Lifeskills, Training & Development and Education (formal and informal). Eight accreditations are planned as well as a training programme that will build the capacity of local workers to enhance their skills in research, mapping and monitoring of impact as well and training former street children to be involved in planning and implementation of interventions.

For more information, please contact: Rebecca Majam (rebecca.majam@180degreesalliance.org)

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