Our primary target for the center in Santa Rosa are the youth that live in
the neighborhood of Osorio / San Martin. The economic capacities of the families
in these neighborhoods vary considerably, while the majority of children that
participate in our programs are from lower income families. That means their
family income is likely less than US$150 per month. The older youth that participate
in our programs are generally better off financially since the poorer youth
start work when they finish 6th grade.
The impact of our center on the local youth is not straightforward. Sure, they
learn skills and have opportunities for recreation that otherwise do not exist.
However, a critical impact is one which is not easy to measure or to see in
the short term -- it is increased self esteem. How do they develop this? Simple
-- it is so unusual for them to have adults spend 
time with them outside of
their formal schooling. By participating in basic programs, these youth start
to recognize that they are worth the attention of the volunteers. By playing
football against the wealthier youth from a private school, they learn that
they have equal abilities and limitations to those who come from families of
influence.
Many children suffer the disadvantages of not being able to participate in
basic education offered by the government simply because they cannot afford
the uniform or some of the materials that they need to buy for classes such
as science or art.
Secondly, due to a lack of proper diet in the crucial developing years of their
early childhood, many children will permanently be restricted in their ability
to learn.
As some of our doctors discovered, sugar loaded coffee is a common beverage for babies under 3 years of age. Many kids that have no nutritional food for breakfast or lunch still find ways to obtain inexpensive little bags of churros (simply small bags of various types of chips) or freezies.