French

On November 2nd, 2009, I will embark on an overland journey that will take me to the four corners of the Americas. From East to West and North to South, I intend on reaching the farmost points of the continent in my Jeep Garnd Cherokee 1993. My mission: to advocate awareness on the global situation of street kids, combined with raising 15000$ for the Bruce Organization, money that will help build a school for at risk kids in Latin America... oh, yeah... and live the adventure of a lifetime!!!

$15,000 will buy all of the following:

     

    - 7,800 nutritious snacks (consisting of either fresh juice, porridge or a Quinua drink, a sandwich containing either meat or butter and marmalade, and a piece of fruit - usually a banana).


    - 60 School uniforms.


    - 60 School registration fees.


    - 60 School starter kits (book bag, pencils and pens, craft paper, copybooks, text books, art supplies).


    - Assorted shoes, used clothes, dental, Psychological, Social Assistant and medical attention as required (and as evaluable - which is frequently but not always).


    - Transport as required (always via public transportation).


    - The rental possession or use of 1 shanty school (normally consisting of one room and the use of a toilet).


    - 1 licensed teacher and a teaching assistant.


The Cause

Street kids are present in most countries and cities around the world, in both developed and developing nations. The issue is global, alarming and growing. The UN establishes them between 100 to 150 million kids, aged between 3 to 18, that live on the streets worldwide, with their number estimated to reach 800 million by the year 2020. 40% of them are homeless, 60% work on the street to support their families.


Unicef defines 3 categories of street children: Street-Living, Street-Working, and Street-Family.

     

    - Street-Working Children, also known as Market Children, are kids who spend the majority of their time working in the streets and markets, selling, begging, and fending for themselves but returning home once in a while.


    - Street-Living Children refers to those who have lost their family through war, or illness, or could have been rejected due the burden they represent, or might have ran away from an abusive, dysfunctional, or poverty-stricken family, now living on the street. They work, live and sleep on the street, most of them with no existing contact with their family.


    - The Street-Family family includes children who live in the street with their homeless parents.


In Latin America, the most recent data suggest that their ages vary from 8-17 years, with an average of entering the street at 9. Of a total population of 500 million in, an estimated 40 million children live or work on the street.

The Plan

We, at Transamericatrek, believe that change can come from small gestures. It is why, that with this endeavour, we intend on raising both money and awereness torwards the issue of street children of America.

To do so...

I plan on crossing the continent from the most eastern point in the Americas (Cape Spear, Newfoundland) to the westernmost point (Anchor Point, Alaska), going through the most northerly town accessible by vehicle (Prudhoe, Alaska) to finally make my way down to Ushuaia, Argentina... the end of the road!! On the way, I hope to bring my vehicle through the most rugged, craziest, and challenging paths I can find

But this is not just a pleasure run!!!

What we intend to do..

    - Stop at North, Central, and South American outreach centres and community based organisations to get hands-on information on street kids in the areas.


    - Gather on-field information, testimonies, and data that can be used for further research, website content, education, or as book and documentary material.


    - Do 'pre' and 'post' trip presentations in canadian schools, community centres, youth centres, and clubs.


    - Create media exposure to promote the expedition, spark awareness on the situation of street kids, and provide information on donation possibilities.


    - Initiate local fundraisers through events and website.


    - Prior to departure, contact canadian clubs, social organisations, or community centers in the cities that we will visit, to promote the Trek and organise fundraising events.


     

But most importantly, one of the main goals of Trans America Trek is to raise money for:

The Bruce Organisation, based in Peru

In the end, we hope to raise enough money to start a new youth center for street kids in Latin America for The Bruce Organisation.