FXB Global

Uruguay: La Casa FXB, capacity-building for street children and young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods

Uruguay

Context

Casa FXB (FXB House) in Montevideo, Uruguay, opened its doors in 1992 in response to growing poverty. Many children were living on the streets, in very dangerous neighborhoods, feeding on found food scraps. Victims of stigmatization, discrimination, violence and sexual exploitation, these children were constantly exposed to HIV and STIs.

Concerned about the lack of opportunities for young people, FXB has set up an educational project for vulnerable children and teenagers that will enable them to find productive ways of tackling the problems posed by poverty, adopt a healthy lifestyle and build a life project.

Our work in Uruguay

FXB House in Montevideo

At Casa FXB, the youngsters received psychological and emotional support, sex education, information on children's rights, life skills training and vocational training. Thanks to the support provided by the FXB team, the young people were able to simultaneously develop their autonomy and their capacity for social integration.

This holistic approach enabled them to find productive ways of tackling the problems posed by poverty, adopt a healthy lifestyle and build a promising life project. For these young people, Casa FXB was a living space where they were listened to, advised and where everything was done to help them regain their dignity.

Following a long campaign launched by FXB founder and president Albina du Boisrouvray, many of the families of the young people at the FXB Uruguay House have been able to benefit from decent housing. FXB then initiated the development of agricultural activities aimed at improving the quality of life of these families, both economically and in terms of access to proper food.

In addition, FXB has collaborated on a UNICEF initiative to include a new line in the national budget to provide financial support to families caring for orphans.

FXB withdrew from the project in December 2009. It is now run independently by a local association.