Chile: Children call on politicians to take responsibility
Children's rights may be written down, but their implementation often leaves much to be desired. Especially in Chile's slums, children grow up surrounded by gang violence, violence, and poverty instead of a good education and safety. The organization "La Caleta" helps these children assert their rights.
A Chilean proverb says, "It's a long way from word to action." Ensuring that political leaders take this path and translate children's rights into concrete action is the goal of Terre des Hommes partner organization La Caleta.
"La Caleta" is the name given to the coves in Chile that offer sailors refuge from the stormy sea. When the organization was founded in 1985, the military dictatorship under Pinochet was still in power, and young opposition figures wanted to reach out to the youth in the so-called poblaciones, the slums. Many of them were drug addicts. They sniffed glue, the drug of the poor. Since then, La Caleta has taken root in the poblaciones and enjoyed the trust of the people.
But the methods used to enforce the rights of children and young people have changed: "We want the children to organize and mobilize," says David Ordenes, who founded La Caleta 40 years ago. "They should know their rights and stand up for them. We support them in formulating their demands and communicating them to the right people in the community or government."
"We need more leisure activities and more green spaces"
The children and La Caleta aren't missing a single opportunity. For the mayoral election in October 2024, they presented their demands to the candidates. For example: "We have no playgrounds or sports fields." "We need more recreational opportunities and more green spaces." And when the position of Ombudsperson for Children's Rights was filled in 2023, they wrote letters to the twelve candidates and to the senators who will be making the decision. Later, they met with Anuar Quesille, who now holds the position until 2028. The children explained what they expected of him.
Even though the campaigns aren't always successful, and many politicians only make empty promises and photos, or don't respond at all, La Caleta doesn't give up on reminding the state of its responsibility towards children and young people. "We must work with the children to ensure that the responsible authorities do their job," says David Ordenes. "It is their responsibility to ensure that children's rights are enforced."