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Wed27Sep2006

Buenos Aires opens internet cafes for street kids

14:55 H | Topics: Argentina - Education - Internet - Society

26773.jpgI am not sure whether to applaud this or ask the question: "why internet cafes and not places for them to live?":

The government of the Argentine capital inaugurated the first "cybercafe" for children and adolescents who live on the street, the first of five of these facilities expected to open in the city.

More than a simple cafe with internet access or just a place where one can play games online, the new facility is a "learning and recreation" space to help better the living conditions of "these children that have lost almost everything," said Jorge Telerman, Mayor of Buenos Aires, during the opening of the cafe.

According to Spain's 20 Minutos, these cafes will offer, on top of internet access, recreational and educational activities, and light meals.

The idea for this project was supposedly born from data that showed that homeless children in Argentina spent 60% of the money they receive panhandling on cybercafes.

While on the surface it seems like a great idea -- providing internet access, and therefore access to information, education, and the world in general to these children -- my mind can't help but wonder why more basic needs aren't covered first, like a home, foster parents, meals and education.

What do you think? Is this a good idea or does it overlook these children's well-being?

Via / 20 Minutos

Image via 26Noticias.com.ar

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Feedback (1) » Share your opinion

1. Latitud 32 ~ Saturday, Oct 07 2006 | 22:03H:

as someone who has worked with street children, they don't always stay in shelters and you can't force them to.

Giving them any type of activity can keep their mind off of doing drugs, they need lots of activity and friendship/mentorship type of activities.

Also, lots of these shelters(In Latin America) are waaay underfunded and under-staffed- there is only so much that can be done, especially with the economic restructuring that takes money away from social programs.

Just my two cents.

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