Cristian Manzanares

My name is Cristian, I am thirteen and attend fourth grade.
When I was nine months old I moved to my grandmother’s because my mom no longer wished to see me. She said that I cried too much, or so. Grandma died when I was six and then I was forced to move to my aunt’s, but I hated that. She always hit me and so did her gentleman.
So then I decided to move to the streets, and fortunately there were a few bus drivers who let me ride on their bus. They gave me food for all the clients that I helped hop on the buses. But I couldn’t attend school, of course.

Since 2006, I live at Proniño and I attend the public Republica school. Because grandma had helped me a lot I could quickly integrate a higher grade and the greatest class is Spanish. Especially the writing.

A while ago we visited the police station, as an excursion. Later I want to be a police officer myself because that is an honorable job and also I will be able to prevent any other children from being hit by adults.

Gerardo Toro

My name is Gerardo and I’m nine. Before, I lived in the streets and I didn’t like that much at all, but Proniño has been my home for ages now.

Eighty of us live there and most of my friends there are really nice, fortunately. Before I went to the streets, I had learnt to write a little, like my name, and the alphabet too!

Since June 2008 I am allowed to attend a real school and I am now in first grade, together with Carlos and Orlin and also with Eder. They live at Proniño as well and we always sit together in the classroom.