AID operational program grant no. 519-0410-G-00-3120-00 to Salesian Missions to assist orphaned, abandoned and displaced children to make a smooth transition into the new Salvadoran society as responsible and productive adults

This will be done by improving the services offered by Ciudad de los Ninos, a Salesian social service center in Santa Ana, and by strengthening programs designed to address the specific educational and social needs of this population. The project will provide educational and social services to 3,274 youngsters aged 7-19 in 1993, to 3,834 youngsters in 1994, and to 4,074 in 1995. This will include an annual average of 440 boys housed in the orphanage and 690 enrolled in an academic program. It is expected that 60% of the beneficiaries will be male and 40% female. Ciudad de los Ninos will reach out to orphaned and homeless children, provide them with emergency assistance (food, clothing) and medical treatment if needed, and serve as a "drop in" center where children can make initial contact with professionals trained to deal with their special needs. Each case will be assessed, a educational and vocational plan will be developed on the basis of a comprehensive evaluation (including psychological assessment), and progress will be monitored regularly by social workers. At Hogar de los Ninos, an orphanage for orphaned, homeless, and abused boys aged 7-19, dormitories and kitchen facilities will be rehabilitated, and a recreational/multipurpose room added to allow the orphanage to take on more boys. Among the most important activities of the residential program will be the Education in Participatory Democracy Program and training in nonconfrontational problemsolving. Youngsters will have broad leeway in their choice of activities while enhancing self-determination and developing discipline and self-control. Basic education for both boys and girls will be provided at Escuela Rafael Campo, covering grades 1-9, including vocational education beginning part-time in 7th grade. A full-time vocational training program at Centro Eduardo Hill, which begins in grade 9, will be expanded under the project to add 4 technical skill areas (computer graphic design, data base management, typing, and office skills); training in other, more traditional areas will be strengthened. Job and apprenticeship placement services will be provided to those who have satisfactorily completed their training and are ready for open employment, self-employment, employment at Ciudad de los Ninos workshops, or entrepreneurship training (complemented by business start-up loans) at Ciudadela Don Bosco, a Salesian institution in Soyapango. Youngsters will also have the opportunity to do community work or to further their academic education. Training will be provided to staff at the various cooperating institutions.