ABSTRACT
Thousands of children live in precarious situations in the Mexican state of Chiapas, a community recovering from a deep-rooted violent conflict from 1994–2008 between the local indigenous communities, the Zapatistas and the military and police under the orders of the national government. Many families fled the rural areas to survive, and as migrants in the urban areas they have come to rely on their children, both boys and girls, to work on the streets seeking income in whatever way possible. These working children are especially numerous in San Cristóbal de la Casas, this is a popular tourist attraction where the children can raise money more easily than in quieter parts of the state of Chiapas. Some sell small legal items such as handicrafts, fruit and candies or provide small services such as running errands. Others sell drugs or their own bodies. This exploitation takes place within a context that fails to recognize the claims of children to be treated as subjects of rights, they need their families and communities to enable them to develop fully before asking them to cope with the responsibilities associated with adulthood. This study examines how Project Melel sought to enable the children to continue their education while at the same time bringing vital income to their families.
