Article January 1, 2001 Issue

Saving the world's children, one at a time

Out of despair and into a happier life.

An interview with Patricia Leuschner

News reports from various parts of the world—Latin America, India, Pakistan, Africa, Southeast Asia—speak of the exploitation of children. The numbers of children who are homeless or neglected seem staggering and beyond our ability to help. In Venezuels, however, a group of people decided to challenge the assumption that nothing could be done, and the result is Asociation Ayuda a Un Nino, the Association for Helping a Child. Patricia Leuschner, an attorney who lives in Venezuela, recently spoke with Rosalie E. Dunbar about her work with this institution.

The Association for Helping a Child is made up of a group of women from all over the world who now live in Venezuela. We started by establishing one house for children who are living in the streets. Now we have six houses. The need for this kind of housing is very big in this country, and the children respond very fast to the love and the care they get here.

We work in the barrios, or slums, and try to talk with the people. Our hope is that the children who are living with us can re-integrate into their social surroundings, if that's possible.

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