Tijuana seeks to reduce amount of children working in the border line

Summer Camp for children begins

TIJUANA.- With the goal of safeguarding children who work in the lines at the San Ysidro border crossing, Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazaran initiated the 2014 Children's Summer Camp.

In his speech, the Mayor stated that five months after initiating the "Betterment Program" at the San Ysidro Border, children who were found to be working were channeled to a children's shelter where they have received health, education, culture, sports and recreation services; as well as temporary shelter on a need basis.

According to Astiazaran, "the City is attempting to involve this community via social participation, and is offering support so that parent's can work and support their families, as well as provide them with needed tools so that their children don't have to spend the day on the street, and to safeguard them from physical danger, prevent involvement in gangs and addiction.

Likewise, Elia de Astiazaran, the President of Trustee's of Tijuana's Integral Family Development department (DIF), indicated that one of the reorganization efforts at the San Ysidro border crossing is to reduce the amount of child workers, along with other problems, and bring social awareness to these children's mothers to avoid these types of work-arrangements.

DIF Tijuana worked in conjunction with the Municipal Social Development office (DESOM) on this project to train volunteers, and perform a head-count of children workers. Medical examinations to detect malnutrition, and health problems took place.

DIF has also reached out to the families of these little ones to guide them and invite them to participate in programs offered by the city. House calls to meet the families, primarily in Valle Verde, Altiplano, and Planicie were conducted and education and assistance scholarships have been proposed as well as food assistance, and development programs.

Elia de Astiazaran stated that DIF Tijuana has also created workshops and support groups on how to make and sell clothing items in order to obtain more income and avoid having to work in the border crossing lines.

The summer camp will last a week and will include activities such as martial arts, sports activities, and arts and crafts activities and will provide a safe environment for children to play in.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com

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