From Casa San José, in Cochabamba, we receive the story from one of the street boys who are sheltered there.
«My name is Andrés, I am 13 years old, and I live in the city of Cochabamba. Today I thought it would be a good day to tell you something that happened to me:
In one of my many trips to school, I met two children, who were brothers: Lionel, 11, and Daniel, 6. I met them there on the streets of oblivion and nostalgia, busy and noisy streets. They asked passers-by and vehicles for money, regardless of the danger they were in, although I think it was fun for them, and they did not think it was dangerous. I was carrying some food, so I stopped to rest and eat my little snack. At that moment we exchanged a few words and struck up a friendship. We spoke. They told me that their mother abandoned them, and their father did not take care of them; they were always hungry, and affection was always lacking. They spoke with great sadness and regret. So they had decided to go out into the streets to juggle and ask for money so they could buy food for themselves and their younger sisters.
That first meeting was followed by others, and with time I had many opportunities to share a little snack with them and talk about our things. But one day, I didn't find them anymore. It was as if they had disappeared.
However, my luck also changed. One afternoon after wandering the streets aimlessly, the police caught me and took me to a home called Casa San José. I did not want to go there, because I liked life on the streets, and that place was strange and unknown to me. My big surprise when I entered was to see several children playing in the yard, but what caught my attention were two boys in particular. The two who were not strangers to me. There were Lionel and his brother Daniel! I imagined they were as lucky as me and the police found them alone on the street. After bathing and putting on clean clothes, I ran to give them a big hug. And we spent the afternoon talking and telling each other about our adventures.
Lionel told me that his sisters were living in another center, although the youngest, five years old, became very ill and died of leukemia.
After a few months living in Casa San José with several children, having fun and being content and happy, Lionel told me that his father was going to come with his sisters to go all together to live at his house, the four of them. I was sad, since they would be leaving, but I was happy for them when I saw how their father hugged them. This was a hug expected by Lionel and Daniel. That day many emotions came out, so they all ended up crying.
I also missed my family. I miss them a lot. I hope that there will soon be a reunion with them, like that of Lionel and Daniel with their dad. You will ask me why I ran away, if I love my family, but this is already part of another story. My story, that perhaps one day I will tell you».
