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Jakaira, a centre for teenage parents
In Argentina, in the year 2000, the percentage of babies born to mothers under 20 years of age was 15.2%. As a consequence of the deep crisis that this country is experiencing, the number of early pregnancies amongst youngsters under 15 is increasing.
In October 2003 Children Action, in collaboration with Fundación Kaleidos (an Argentinian not-for-profit organisation), decided to set up a day centre in Buenos Aires called Jakaira, in order to provide care and assistance to very young parents, from medium-low to low social and economic classes.
Establishing a special relationship between mother and baby
The centre assists young women in their role as mothers and helps them to reintegrate both socially and professionally. The team which runs Jakaira works to heighten each mother's awareness of the needs of her child and improve their relationship with each other. Jakairá’s main goals are:
1. To offer an alternative to the institutionalization. As stipulated by article 9 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the main goal is to defend children’s right not to be
separated from their parents against their will, except when such separation is necessary for the best interest of the chid. (art. 9 Convention on the Rights of the child)2. To look after the early bond between the children and their mothers and fathers, if they are present.
3. To encourage the development of the family’s autonomy.
4. To sustain and support adolescent girls within the social and family network
5. To work towards the connections with the institutional network.
Jakaira offers to each mother a personalized support (medical, psychological and legal support, school reintegration, searching for employment and housing, etc). Jakaira contributes to the establishment of a social network to approach, in an integral way, all the different problems and to optimise the community's existing resources.
Results
Since October 2003, 98 teenage mothers, 106 children as well as 32 young fathers have benefited from services offered by Jakaira.
Cost
Annual budget for Children Action: approx. CHF 120'000 (75 000 €)
Team
Supervision:
Prof François Ansermet, Head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University Hospital, Geneva
Marta Martinez, Argentina
Nora Woscoboinik, Argentine
Project leaders:
Ricardo Gorodisch, psychiatrist and President of Kaleidos
Sandra Nofal, psychiatrist and member of Kaleidos
See press cutting (La Nacion August 2010)
See press cutting (le Courrier, March 2011)
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