Los Quinchos
Asociación Los Quinchos is a multifaceted program for former glue-sniffing street children. Among its projects are a farm, cultural center and girls residence in San Marcos; a residence and workshops, hammock-making, electrical and auto maintenance training, at the Casa Lago in Granada, and the intake house in Managua. Founded by Zelinda Roccia, Los Quinchos serves more than 200 children in residential programs and street outreach programs. ProNica has helped the Quinchos extend their outreach to feed children in the Managua city landfill, La Chureca.
Los Quinchos Street Outreach Program
Los Quincho Street Outreach Program is one of the most important aspects of the Los Quinchos project. When outreach workers take to the streets, poor homeless children run to meet them. Most children bear a small workbook which Los Quinchos provides. The workers look over the workbooks and talk with the kids, giving them an assignment for next time. The children are always invited to the filter house to see how they would live if they choose to give up street life and enter a residency program that supplies a home, food, education and a surrogate family.
Yahoskas
As homeless boys left the streets often their sisters and cousins were left behind. Many of these girls were at risk of falling into prostitution. Zelinda Roccia expanded her charitable boys programs to include girls, establishing a residence program called the Yahoskas. In addition to receiving a home, love and food, these twenty-five girls, ranging from five to fifteen, go to public school and participate in cultural activities such as folkloric and modern dancing. They also learn sewing and computer skills and participate in the Quinchos soccer league.
