Who we are

Street Kids International is a global non-profit agency that develops and disseminates strategies and tools to give street kids around the world the skills and opportunities to better their lives. We team with youth workers to develop locally relevant, innovative workshops and tools using award-winning animations that engage kids about sexual health, drug use and youth entrepreneurship. Having reached more than two million street kids in more than 60 countries, Street Kids International has been recognized by the United Nations as a global best practice leader in youth work.

What we do

Many kids must generate income to support themselves and their families and therefore need business training that is tangible, easy to understand, leverages their skills and guides the development of their business ideas. Our street work programme empowers street youth to develop safe and productive ways to earn income on the street. Our street health programmes engage street kids in making informed choices about sexual health, HIV/AIDs and drug use. These programmes are important, as the choice by street kids to use drugs or engage in risky sexual practices is made in an environment where obvious answers and simple choices don’t exist. Our street rights programme emphasizes our key role as advocates and educators on the rights of street kids. We challenge governments, public officials and ordinary citizens alike to see the economic potential of street kids in their communities.

How we are unique

Street Kids International uses animated videos to reach street kids, which transcend the limits of language and cultural specificity to generate dialogue with these young people. Street youth can see their own lives reflected in the stories and begin to talk and think about meeting their unique challenges head-on. Further, our workshops are often reshaped by local partners to enhance their success within particular communities.

We make a difference

Meet Tobias

Tobias was 10 years old when he lost both his parents and ended up on the streets. After a run in with the police, he was brought to one of Street Kids International’s partner organizations.

Tobias chose to participate in our Street Health program and immediately identified with the characters in our videos on substance abuse. He was then able to explain why he thought kids spent time on the streets, made poor choices and used drugs and alcohol.

Tobias has continued to share his story about his life on the streets and the mistakes he made. His sharing has an impact on other kids who learn from him and listen to his advice about avoiding drugs and unsafe sexual practices.

Tobias, now in his early 20s, has taken control of his life and mentors other youth. He has recently qualified to go to the University of Zambia.

Meet Grover

Grover is 18 and was one of the first participants in Bolivia to participate in our Street Business Toolkit training in 2003. Grover spent nine years working in the streets to support himself and his family in a variety of ways, such as working in a cemetery and selling cell phones. Since his participation in the Street Business Toolkit, he has applied many of the concepts he learned and today successfully runs a small business where he designs patterns for clothes, cards, and other objects by client request.

Grover is now off the streets and has weekly earnings of $20-25.

So inspired by the training, he has replicated it at a local youth center and regularly promotes his pathway off the streets to friends, family, and street youth.

Grover is a strong believer in the Street Business Toolkit as an opportunity for disadvantaged people to learn how to begin or improve their small businesses. Recently, he has also initiated a proposal to begin a tourism business with a few other street youth to be supported by a micro-credit NGO in Spain. The Street Business Toolkit has not only been a practical learning experience for youth like Grover, but an inspiration that allows them to dream of their future without limit to the possibilities.