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THE RUFISQUE CHARTER
This charter was created by the directors of projects who met in Rufisque,
Senegal, in 1995.
It sets down all the principles which the REPER network members agree
to abide by and uphold.
- A street child must be considered as a child, not as a delinquent,
as a misfit, or sick.
- Before speaking, an adult must listen to the child and take
his wishes into account. The role of the adult is to help the child
distinguish between impossible and realistic goals.
- It must be the child who decides whether to leave
or return to the street. In the foster home where the child lives,
decisions must be taken jointly.
- The adult makes a simple contract with the child, and it
must be scrupulously respected. It’s very important never
to lie to a child.
- Whenever possible, priority should be given to returning the
child to his/her family, provided this is a stable and durable
solution.
- If a child is placed in a home or host family, the child should
live without luxuries, in the same conditions he/she will be
living in as an adult.
- Large institutions are largely not advised.
- It’s important for the child to be encouraged to retain the
values they have learnt in the street, such as determination,
resourcefulness, initiative, and solidarity with other children.
- A child will be raised in the same religion as their parents.
Attempts at conversion are forbidden.
- Children must be know that once they have met us, they will never
be abandoned, even as an adult.
"If
you are good, we’ll love you, and if you’re not, we’ll
love you anyway."
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 Updated on 19 november,
2008 |
