What kind of kids come to Conviven?

Children who regularly come to Conviven are from Ciudad Oculta, a slum that is situated very nearby Conviven. Children in that neighbourhood are afflicted by many painful and stressful factors that deprive them of emotional stability.

For example:

• The great majority does not have a paternal figure in their life – often, their father is in prison or has been imprisoned on various occasions, and, in some instances, both parents are in prison
• Siblings almost never have the same father
• They do not understand the meaning of privacy as it does not exist in their homes
• Many children have to take on the role of “parent” and thus the burden of adult responsibility for their younger siblings
• There is a lack of mutual respect, self awareness and respect for their bodies, which is often manifested by public displays of their sexuality irrespective of the presence of the other gender
• They attend schools where they are mistreated and where they receive only a basic, minimal education.

They visit Conviven to learn and/or have social contacts with other children and our
international volunteers. Our mission is to help them have a better understanding of the world and encourage them to learn more so that they could have a better future.