Street children change with support of their gang

A 17 year old boy shared that, within 6 months, he reduced sexual interaction with men from once a week to once every three months (see his self-assessment left, Red = where he is today; Triangle = where he wants to be in 3 months). 

Many street children in Bacolod, Philippines, who used to engage in transactional sex like him, now discuss their risk behaviours, with the support of the gang leader. This is happening since John-Piermont Montilla, the founder of the NGO 'KGPP' (Kabataang Gabay sa Positibong Pamumuhay, Peers for a Positive Life) introduced the Community Life Competence Process to the children. "The children are proud to take their own decisions and set their own targets, explained John-Pierre. They choose a mentor - another child- that will support them."

Children are changing. Many of them go back to school and sell artworks to earn a living.