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July 2006

Dear Members,

Summer is here, and with it comes the latest issue of “QUE PASA.” Following positive feedback, we are delighted to continue keeping you updated on the latest news about your association, its members, and our current projects.
Please feel free to contact us for more information about our activities, if you have ideas for activities or fundraising initiatives, or if you’d like to receive a print copy of QUE PASA. Our contact information is:

12 rue du Diorama
, 1204 Geneva
, Tel. 022 321 82 86 ,
info@casa-alianza.ch

On behalf of the entire Casa Alianza team, we hope you enjoy reading this issue!

1. Three Weeks in Central America with Casa Alianza...

As the new Executive Director of Casa Alianza Switzerland, Marjorie traveled to the field to understand how our organization operates where its mission is carried out—in the heart of Mexico City, Tegucigalpa, Managua, and Guatemala City. Marjorie shares her first impressions with us:
“On May 5, 2006, I set out on a journey I won’t soon forget—at once a descent into hell and a little taste of paradise, a subtle blend of hope and despair, of ‘we have to do something’ and ‘what’s the point?’ In any case, I came back convinced of one thing: the educators, psychologists, social workers, and others at Casa Alianza are wonderful people, and I’m lucky to work with them—even if I’m far removed from their daily concerns.
I spent my first week with Menin and his team in Honduras. The most shocking experience for me was going out onto the streets with the educators. And yet, God knows I’ve seen my share of hardship during my two years in Cambodia! But the urban distress, the drugs, the prostitution, and all that unimaginable violence in which these children are growing up have something unique about them—something extremely grim, at any rate, and far more complex than the simple issue of poverty. I’ll long remember that kid with a huge scar across his stomach who survived I don’t know how many stab wounds.
I spent my second week in Managua with Grethel. There, just as in Honduras, my days were a series of unforgettable encounters with dedicated, professional people who were incredibly kind.
My final week took me to Guatemala, where Arturo served as my guide—along with all his colleagues, of course. From there, I’ll also carry with me some powerful images: a mobile school in a shantytown filled with little ones eager to understand what personal hygiene means, young girls who became mothers too young but who still smile at life despite everything, and teenagers with bruised faces because the soldiers trying to “clean” the streets of their “poor” people have forgotten that force never solves anything.
A descent into hell, then, because life on the streets is hell, but also a taste of paradise because the people in these countries have huge hearts despite all their problems. One thing is certain: they’re counting on us there, and I explained to them how fortunate we are here to have a network of active members and volunteers who are always ready to go the extra mile to help them a little, to provide them with funds that will be more than useful to them.”

Marjorie Granjon (marjorie@casa-alianza.ch)

2. Fête de la Musique: Thank you for your support!

The 2006 event was a success, even though we didn’t quite match the incredible record set in 2005. It was, however, difficult to compete with the World Cup, the weekend’s downpours, and a location with slightly less foot traffic than at the Bastions (even though we were delighted to be on the Saint Antoine promenade). That didn’t stop Casa Alianza’s loyal supporters from coming to see us at the booth, and the caipirinhas flowed freely! The raclette filled empty stomachs, and good cheer reigned throughout the weekend!
On behalf of the entire association—and, of course, the children we help—a huge thank you to the volunteers, who are as motivated and helpful as ever, and to the master pastry chefs for their delicious cakes! We’ll definitely see you at the 2007 edition!

3. After the Fête de la Musique, we’re back at it with Jazz sur la Plage!

On August 19, the “Jazz sur la Plage” festival takes place in Hermance. Every year, proceeds are donated to a charity, and the 2006 edition will be dedicated to Casa Alianza! Pierre-Edmond from Le Chat Noir, the organizer of “Jazz sur la Plage,” contacted us and offered us the opportunity to run a barbecue stand during this very enjoyable evening. In fact, this year, they not only want to donate funds to a charity but also want that charity to be present at the event. Maud Lambert is therefore looking for a motivated person to team up with her to organize the stand and is calling for volunteers to help serve that evening. Please send your names and phone numbers to her at: maud@casa-alianza.ch .
We hope to see many of you at this event!

4. The Next Casa Alianza Get-Together

On Thursday, June 1, we held our first informal get-together of the year. It was simply a chance to meet up and get to know each other better over drinks and some light snacks. It was a very enjoyable time, and we’d love to do it again...
Please join us for the next get-together on Thursday, September 14, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Casa Alianza office. We look forward to seeing you!

5. The Mexican government must do more for street children!

On May 23, Mexico appeared before the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. This Committee reviews the reports that states—which have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child—are required to prepare on the implementation of these rights in their countries.
To provide civil society’s perspective on the conditions of children in each country, the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child supports NGOs in preparing alternative reports and participating in confidential meetings with the Committee before the Committee meets with governments. Two coalitions of Mexican NGOs prepared alternative reports (Casa Alianza Mexico was part of one of these coalitions). The issues related to street children in these reports included:

  • The lack of statistics on the number of children living on the streets and their living conditions. There is no comparative study on these children that would allow for an assessment of how the phenomenon has evolved.
  • The lack of a definition for a “street child” and a “child working on the street.”
  • The use of prostitution and sexual exploitation.
  • The “social cleanup” of street children in preparation for the Pope’s visit in 2002.
  • Violence on the streets (including by authorities).
  • The government’s perception that these children are the result of family and individual irresponsibility.
  • Drug use and the lack of rehabilitation centers.

The Committee emphasized:

  • Reports of torture and other ill-treatment of these children and the lack of a complaints procedure.
  • The high number of street children, the lack of a comparative study, and insufficient measures to prevent this phenomenon and protect these children.
  • Violence by the police and other individuals.

The Committee recommended that the State:

  • Strengthen assistance for these children through health care—including physical, sexual, and mental health care, as well as detoxification and treatment for mental illness.
  • Provide family reintegration services and facilitate access to education and training
  • Implement measures to prevent violence and protect their rights.
  • Improve its cooperation with NGOs and conduct regular comparative studies on the nature and extent of the problem.

This demonstrates the significant influence that NGOs have on the Committee when it reviews a State’s implementation of the Convention. Casa Alianza Switzerland, in collaboration with the NGO Group, will support grassroots organizations so they can actively participate in preparing reports for this Committee, ensuring that street children are supported at all levels! For more information, contact Lisa (lisa@casa-alianza.ch)

6. Street Children Better Protected Against Torture in Mexico and Honduras

By ratifying the new Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, Mexico and Honduras are among the 20 countries that enabled its entry into force on June 22.
Casa Alianza Switzerland would like to join the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) in drawing attention to this new tool, which will allow independent experts to conduct regular as well as unannounced visits to all places of detention, including prisons, police stations, and psychiatric hospitals...
While cases of mistreatment of detained minors are all too often reported by Casa Alianza’s legal teams in the field, the organization welcomes the fact that these two countries have demonstrated their commitment to effectively combating torture and inhuman, cruel, or degrading treatment by their authorities.
The Protocol will help strengthen the fight to protect the rights of minors in these two countries. Let’s hope that Guatemala and Nicaragua will follow this fine example...
Note: For more information: www.apt.ch

7. Would you like to get more involved?

We always need our members’ time and ideas to support street children. If you’d like to become an active member, you can:

Thank you for your support!

Contributors to Qué Pasa No. 3: Laurence Roth, Lisa Myers, Marjorie Granjon, Aurélie Ponthieu, Maud Lambert, Audrey Parrone, and Marie-Laure Vollenweider.