Education as a means to break the poverty circle.
Street children have no prospect of finding work. They don’t go to school and as a result are often illiterate.
By attending school and receiving a good general education they are given the opportunity to turn their lives around and leave behind them for good the street life and everything that comes with it. The Bahay Aurora children all attend school. The (mandatory) school uniforms, books, pens etc. are not provided by the school, but are paid for by Bahay Aurora.
The youngest children attend a preschool (nursery school) located within the complex itself. The older children attend public schools. The primary school is located in the vicinity of the complex and the secondary school in located in the next village. Attention is give to each individual child on the completion of secondary school to consider the possibilities of further education.
Preschool located in Bahay Aurora complex.
Attending a preschool is mandatory in order to be accepted later into primary school. Children whose parents cannot afford to pay for preschool remain illiterate. Within the confines of Bahay Aurora is a schoolhouse that functions as a preschool in the mornings. Not only the youngest residents attend this school (up to the age of 6 years), but also children living close by whose parents cannot afford to pay for them to attend the local preschool. This in turn stimulates the integration with other children from the area and family life outside the complex.
Computers
In the Philippines, particularly in rural areas, one is aware of a critical lack of knowledge of and experience with computers. On the second floor of the schoolhouse there is a computer area, set up with laptops and internet connections. The children may use these facilities at prearranged time slots. They may also be used for school projects and homework. Use of the computers is supervised by a staff member. The staff is well trained in the use of computers and can assist the children with their computer skills. Thanks to this facility the children will become well trained and completely up to date in the use of computers, giving them a decided advantage.