NO CHILD FORCED TOLIVE ON THE STREET

• Introduction

• A Word from our Chair of the Board

• What We Do

• What We Have Achieved

• Where We Work

• Children’s Stories

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Research

• Our Finances

• Thank You

Photos used by kind permission of Robin Hammond / Comic Relief Ltd.

The Retrak policy on child safeguarding requires we change all of thechildren’s names in our publications to protect their real identity.

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CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

WELCOME TO THE RETRAKANNUAL REVIEW FOR 2012I hope you will take a few minutes to readin the following pages about some ofthe exciting developments that haveoccurred during 2012. It was a year ofmilestones for Retrak, as we returned our 1,000th child to a home and weexpanded our work to include programsfor street girls.

2012 was a banner year closer to homeas well, when in July Retrak Americawas designated a US-registered501(c)(3) charity. During 2012, RetrakAmerica continued its partnership withGlobalGiving, and we gained newsupporters such as the Belgian Embassyto the US and the International MonetaryFund. Our new 501(c)(3) status will allowus to reach out to even more fundersand gain further traction as we work tosupport our colleagues in Africa.

At the heart of everything that Retrakdoes is the belief that every child isunique and valuable, and that eachand every child deserves to be raised ina loving home. Inside this report you’llbe introduced to some of the childrenwho have gone through Retrak’s programs.Their personal stories should give you anidea of the unique challenges that thesechildren face and the important workthat Retrak does to transform their lives.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfeltthanks to the many volunteers here in theUS who have helped Retrak America in2012. It has been a privilege to workwith you and Retrak America couldn’thave come as far as we have withoutyour help.

Joan Townsend, US Country Director

OUR NEW MISSIONSTATEMENT

Retrak works to transform highlyvulnerable children’s lives; preservefamilies; empower communities andgive each of them a voice. We putchildren at the very heart of everythingwe do and will be fearless and tenaciousin defending and promoting their rights.

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The best thing aboutRetrak for me is

getting my educationbecause education is

my futureMichael, 14 yrs old

WELCOME TO THE RETRAKANNUAL REVIEW FOR 2012This year an amazing 9,207 children andfamilies were provided with a range ofdifferent services by Retrak. However,there is still much to be done as theestimates of street children range in themillions globally. This global need is part ofthe reason Retrak’s Vision has changed to:

A world where no child is forced to live on the street.

The change in vision came about aswe spent a considerable portion of2012 designing the new Retrak Strategy2013 – 2017, which you can downloadfrom our website.

Some other highlights for 2012 included:

1. Developed new partnershipsallowing us to expand and opennew centers and reach street girlsfor 2013. One of those was withCordaid, a Dutch NGO with theactivities beginning in May 2013. Thispartnership will allow us to work withcommunities in an exciting new waythrough ‘self help groups.’

2. We were also for the first time ableto work with children who hadsuffered as a result of a naturaldisaster. In Ethiopia we have providedemergency food provision to over2,000 people and as a result helpedover 600 children complete theirschooling.

3. Retrak America launched as a Charity.

4. Retrak ZERO Appeal with UK Aidmatching donations over a 12 weekperiod raised a total of £374k ($598k),with more than 2,000,000 viewers ofappeal materials/media coverage.A massive thanks to the ManchesterEvening News (MEN) who wereRetrak’s media partner, withoutwhom we would not have beenable to do this.

One of the most exciting things to watchfor in 2013 with Retrak is that we willbegin to work in other African countries– you can follow our progress via ourwebsite, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Finally, I would like to convey my personalgratitude to all of you who are engagedwith Retrak. Thank you for all yourpassion, prayer, dedication, commitmentand support to see children’s livestransformed. It never ceases to amazeme! Finally, I invite you to join with us onthe journey ahead because we arestill learning, we still need your time,prayers, donations and help. There isstill much work to be done. Best wishesand once again a HUGE thank you forall your support.

Diarmuid O Neill, Retrak Chief Executive and Chair ofthe Retrak America Board of Trustees

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WHAT WE DO

WHAT WE DOAcross the world there are hundreds ofthousands of children living on thestreets suffering hunger, poverty, abuseand violence.

Retrak is a charity working to give thesechildren a real alternative to life on thestreets, and to give them a voice.

We provide these vulnerable childrenwith food, medical care, legal support,shelter, clothing, counseling andopportunities for education. Wherepossible, Retrak will work to returnchildren to their families and if that’snot possible into foster care orsupported independent living.

We also work with families, carers andcommunities to address the rootcauses that lead children to be livingon the street, and also to preventchildren returning to the street. Thisincludes parenting skills, reinforcingchild protection messages, andsupporting income generating activity.

We put children at the very heart ofeverything we do.

WHAT CHILDREN SAY ABOUTWHAT WE DO“RETRAK HAS GIVEN ME HOPE”. Moses, aged 8.

“RETRAK OPENED MY EYES, I HAD NO HOPE OFEVER GOING TO SCHOOL, I COULD NOT EVENSPELL OR WRITE MY NAME, BUT NOW I CANEVEN WRITE A BOOK OF MY OWN.” Julius,aged 13, Uganda.

“THANK YOU BECAUSE NOW I HAVE ACHIEVEDSOMETHING I DID NOT THINK WAS POSSIBLE.”Belete, 17, on graduating from a VocationalTraining Course.

“I NEVER EVER THOUGHT THAT I WOULD AGAINLIVE IN A HOME - AND HAVE A PLACE I CALLHOME, AND BELONG TO A FAMILY AND LATERON BE ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL. FOR ME THISIS A MIRACLE TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TOSCHOOL, IT IS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE.”Frank, 13 years old.

WHAT WE HAVEACHIEVED

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TANZANIAAt the end of 2012 Retrak began to work with Mkombozi in Tanzania on the Campaign Against Child Abuse.This will involve developing awarenessraising and advocacy messages,training children to create and deliverradio programs and meeting with keystakeholders such as governmentdepartments, Mkombozi staff andrelevant partner organizations. Weexpect to reach 420 adults and 420children with this project.

UGANDARetrak Uganda reached4,694 vulnerable children in 2012. Our drop in center continuesto provide medical care, counseling,education, shelter, and voluntary HIVtesting, and Tudabujja, our halfwayhome provides a space in whichchildren can prepare for reintegrationwith families.

Our partner Dwelling Places also enablesstreet children access health care,education and psycho-social support,as well as helping children returnhome to a safe family. In 2012 Retraksupported Dwelling Places to workwith over 200 such vulnerable children.

Our partner Child Restoration Outreachhave continued their vital work withstreet girls reaching over 700 children.

Retrak have also supported the trainingof over 50 staff members in Uganda.I found myself

now I feel like I can move forward

to the future Brihanu, aged 17, doing

tailoring VOT - now working

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Number ofchildren whoparticipatedin education:

95% CHILDREN REINTEGRATED IN ETHIOPIA ARE HEALTHY,SAFE, EMOTIONALLY WELL, EDUCATED AND TRAINEDAFTER 6 MONTHS IN THEIR FAMILY AND/OR COMMUNITY

128 PROFESSIONALS TRAINED

455 CHILDREN GIVEN HIV / AIDS EDUCATION

GENDER SPLIT:BOYS 87%GIRLS 13%

WHERE WE WORK

ONE THOUSANDAND SIXTY

9,207CHILDREN & FAMILIES WORKED WITH1,947

NO. OF COUNSELINGSESSIONS DELIVERED:

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ETHIOPIARetrak Ethiopia workedwith over 2,000 childrenin 2012 who were living on the street, or at risk of being forcedto live on the street. Our new nightshelter was also renovated during 2012allowing us to increase capacity.

Our partner Organization for Prevention,Rehabilitation and Integration ofFemale Street children, worked withover 200 children and 80 care givers,offering rehabilitation to street girls andreintegrating them back in to theirfamilies or in to independent living.

In Ethiopia, Retrak also worked in adisaster area for the first time with ourpartner, Rift Valley Children andWomen’s Development Organization,to address the food shortage andmalnutrition as a result of the droughtin the region. This program provided650 children with meals, enablingthem to maintain their health, andcontinue their education.

KENYAOur Kenyan partner, Child Rescue Kenya (CRK)delivers the programStreet Smart which helped over 400children in 2012 through street outreachwork. Social workers from CRK gain thetrust of children in their own environmentand offer counseling before providinga safe place for food, washing facilitiesand informal education.

Before I came toRetrak I dIDN T knowhow to care about

anything or how tolove others but

now I have learnedhow to love

Isaac, aged 16

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CHILDREN SSTORIES

DAWIT’S STORYDawit was 15 years old when he firstmet Retrak. He had traveled to the bigcity streets of Addis Ababa with hopesof earning money to support his familybut he soon became lost and thesehopes quickly disappeared.

Dawit’s father died when he was youngand he was given the role of supportinghis family. Dawit offered shoe shiningon the streets of his home town BaharDar but one day a friend told him hecould make more money in AddisAbaba. Believing he could improve hisfamily’s situation, Dawit made thejourney there. Unfortunately he becameseparated from his friend and was soonalone and anxious. Shoe shining did notoffer the opportunities he had hoped asthere were shoe-shiners on every cornerand Dawit soon found he had no moneyto return home. He was forced to startliving on the streets.

Two weeks later, after being introducedto Retrak by another boy living on thestreet, Dawit was invited to our drop-in

center. He stayed at the center for onemonth and told staff his story. He becameinvolved in activities such as sports skillssessions, life skills sessions and joined inwith education catch up classes. He wasalso offered counseling by our staffduring which he expressed a strongdesire to reintegrate with his family.

Dawit’s excitement grew as he heardthat he could return home and inJanuary 2012 he was reunited with hisfamily. Accompanied by a Retrak SocialWorker Dawit returned home to thewelcome of many family members.Upon opening the gate his little sistershouted out in joy and started cryingwith delight. We met with Dawit’s familyto explain Dawit’s experiences of streetlife and to talk about the challengesfacing the family. Retrak gave Dawit’smother a grant to enable her to set upa vegetable selling business. Our supportmeans the family now has a regularincome and Dawit is now happily livingat home and excited about returningto school.

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Retrak creates a newhope in my life

Yeshi, aged 15

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JIMMY’S STORYJimmy was 14 years old and strugglingat school. He failed to pass the examsneeded to move him in to the next yeargroup. Upon discovering this, Jimmy’sfather ordered his mother not to give himany more food. When Jimmy’s motherdisobeyed this order she was beaten.Feeling life at home was unbearableJimmy felt he had no alternative but toleave.

Jimmy then found himself living on thestreets of his home town of Kitgum beforedeciding to go to Kampala. Thinking lifewould be better there Jimmy used allhis money to buy a bus ticket, arriving atthe bus station late at night.

Overwhelmed by the city, he felt confusedand alone, especially since he did notspeak the local dialect. Luckily he metanother boy who spoke his languageand the two boys stayed together. Buttwo days after selling his shoes to pay for

food and using a sack to sleep in, Jimmyran out of money. Passers-by wereverbally abusive and unfriendly and sowhen an outreach worker from Retrakintroduced themselves to Jimmy andoffered help, Jimmy was given hope.Retrak gave Jimmy a safe place andopportunity to express himself. We havesupported him to learn peer to peerempowerment skills, engage in catch upeducation, and other children now turnto him for support. Jimmy enjoys helpingout at the refuge and can often befound supporting other children withtheir English communication or writing.Retrak empowers children to choosetheir own path in life and Jimmy hopesto go back to school in the future. Jimmyis preparing to move back home withthe support and protection of Retrakand is excited about his future.

when an outreachworker from Retrak

introduced themselves toJimmy and offered helpJimmy was given hope

ELFAGED / MESERET’S STORYElfaged told Retrak outreach workersthat 3 weeks previously he had beensleeping in the middle of the road onthe central reservation when a car hadrun over his foot. The driver didn’t stopso he was left there in agony and witha bad injury (a deep, infected woundabout 10 cm long and 5 cm across)and no prospect of medical help. Theoutreach workers encouraged him tocome to the Retrak drop-in center formedical care, but he was very hesitant.Finally, after much cajoling, he agreed,but then whispered: "but there's a problem!"staff asked what the problem was, andthe reply came: "well, actually, I'm a girl!"

Elfaged was actually called Meseretand had been disguising herself as a boyfor the past 3 years to stay safe. She toldRetrak that her strategy to protect herselfon the street was to shave off her hair,dress as a boy, wear a big old overcoatto cover her body, and hang aroundyounger kids who wouldn't ask so manyquestions or realize her gender!

Meseret came to the clinic at the Retrakdrop-in center and after a course ofantibiotics and daily dressings the woundhealed. Meseret started to attend theeducation catch-up classes with theother street children. One quiet afternoonwhen most of the other children were notaround, she began talking with one ofthe social workers and for the first timeconfessed that she had a mother andfather, although they were separated.She said she really wanted to return hometo her mom and that she was sick of streetlife and the pretence of living as a boy.

The social workers worked intensivelywith Meseret to help her achieve herdream of returning home and helpedrestore her selfconfidence which hadbeen eaten away by years of sufferingand living on the street.

Meseret has now graduated fromvocational training to be a hairdresserand is about to embark on working forthe first time!

The social workersare now workingintensively withMeseret to help herachieve her dream ofreturning home

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MonitoringEvaluation and Research

MONITORING, EVALUATIONAND RESEARCHThis has been an exciting year for Retrakas we have grown in our capacity tocollect, analyze and use qualityinformation to inform our decision-makingand learning and to influence changebeyond our direct work with childrenand families.

We have begun to pilot our speciallydesigned beneficiary database whichwill allow us to electronically collectand store information about thechildren and families we work with.

Alongside this we developed a casemanagement and monitoring toolkitto accompany our Family ReintegrationStandard Operating Procedures andpiloted a training curriculum for theProcedures and toolkit.

In Ethiopia we researched the possibleuse of these Procedures to aid reintegrationof children in institutional care and foundthem to be successful and much needed.

The data we collected in 2012 was notonly able to show another year ofgrowth in terms of the numbers ofchildren and families we are workingwith, but for the first time includedinformation on the impact of Retrak’sprograms on children’s wellbeing.

During 2012 we had several opportunitiesto share our work with others, mostnoticeably through the end of ourPEPFAR-funded project and theevaluation of our work which concludedthat:

“Retrak exceeded all the targets set.Children’s overall wellbeing improvedduring their time with Retrak andcontinued to do so after placementwith families. The services Retrakprovide are very relevant to the needsof children and their families; andchildren’s participation andinvolvement in decision-makingthroughout the project is excellent.”

In 2012 we expanded and were influentialin setting up networks to help betterchildren’s lives. With this, and our work inadvocacy and research, we are able tohave a greater influence over policyand decision making, and make adifference to many more children.

We are proud of ourassociation withRetrak it is clearthat Retrak hasestablished a modelthat works anddelivers resultsfor street children

AVSI Country Representative Uganda

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ADVOCACY CASE STUDYRetrak have helped to launch theAlternative Care Network in Ethiopia.Working together with the EthiopianGovernment through the Ministry ofWomen's, Children's and Youth Affairs(who will house the new secretariat), itis hoped that this new network andsecretariat will be a hub of learningand will greatly enhance the efforts topromote family and community basedcare options for children. Retrak is a keypart of the Ethiopian Government’s moveaway from institutional care for children.

RESEARCH CASE STUDYRetrak has undertaken research intothe needs of street children ininstitutional care and how Retrak’sreintegration procedures can be usedin the process of de-institutionalization.Our recommendations were endorsedby UNICEF and research such as this,revealing that long-term institutionalcare can be damaging to children,has promoted an international movetowards reducing the use of children’shomes and finding alternatives whichallow children to benefit from care andprotection in a loving family environment.

CAPACITY BUILDING CASE STUDYBased on our experience and buildingon the foundation of the UN AlternativeCare Guidelines, child rights andattachment theory, Retrak has developeda set of Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) for family reintegration and atraining curriculum for them. Retrakpiloted this training curriculum in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia in 2012 and has sincerun workshops in Kampala, Ugandaand Lubumbashi, DR Congo. We hopethat the SOPs can be used to informand guide the wider street childpractitioner community and improvethe quality of care available to allstreet children.

OUR FINANCES

76¢Project Costs

and Advocacy

21¢UK Fundraising

and Admin

2¢US Fundraising

and Admin

1¢Audit and

Governance

Total income = $1,509,454

I find Retrak sapproach soeffectiveparticularly on reintegration ofchildren back tofamilY AND community

Uganda Minister of State for Relief, DisasterPreparedness & Refugees

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THANK YOU

THANK YOUThank you to everyone who hassupported Retrak during 2012. You havemade a huge difference to the lives ofchildren forced to live on the street.

Here are just a few of the ways supportershave enabled us to provide a realalternative to life on the streets to manyvulnerable children:

• Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro• Taking part in our Commando Challenge• Greater Manchester Police & Fire

Service raised over $80,000 for Retrak and volunteered at our projects

• Hosting music concerts• Holding a sleep out• Our Zero Appeal raised over $288,000

which was matched by UK Aid.

GREATER MANCHESTERPOLICE

Official Development Assistance

• St. David’s Church, Washington, DC • GlobalGiving• The Episcopal Diocese of

Washington• Cycle Africa • International Monetary Fund• Cheadle Hulme Methodist Church • Fleet Baptist Church• St Paul’s Chipperfield• St Michael’s & All Angels• St Paul’s (Tervuren)• Ivy (Manchester)• Chichester Baptist Church• CMS• Holy Trinity Church – Sutton Montis• St Peter & St Paul (Tonbridge)• Tabeel Trust • The Conaniah Trust • The Hillfield Trust • Souter Charitable Trust• Rowan Charitable Trust

• Minos Trust • Dorfred Charitable Trust • Anglican Aid (The Archbishop

of Sydney’s Overseas Relief and Aid Fund)

• The Paul Farrer Charitable Trust • The Francis Crabtree

Charitable Trust• H A Holliday Charitable Trust • Stansfield Charitable Trust • The Noel Buxton Trust • The Evan Cornish Foundation• Maranatha Christian Trust • Zurich Community Trust • Home Trust • Fulmer Trust • The Marr-Munning Trust• The St. Mary’s Charity• Paget Trust• The Bryan Guinness

Charitable Trust

• C.B. and H.H. Taylor 1984 Charitable Trust

• Better Lives • The Girdlers’ Company

Charitable Trust• Diggs Family Foundation• The Tournelles Foundation• Spencer Hunt• Belgian Embassy, Washington DC• British Embassy, Brussels• Nairobi chamber choir • Volunteer fundraising teams in

the UK, Belgium and the USA• St Paul's British Primary School• The European School• Open Gate• African Palms• Ceniarth Foundation• Wade Family Foundation

Thank you to all the companies, trusts, institutions and churches who have supportedus during 2012. We can’t name all of you but here are a few!

The Commando Challenge

Kilimanjaro Challenge

Retrak Sleep Out

You can also help Retrak to raiseawareness of the issues of streetchildren by following us on Twitteror Facebook.

When I was on the streets of Kampala I was half dead half alive but when I came here my life was full again

Nasiche, 10 years old

Email: joan.townsend@retrak.org

A U.S. registered 501(c)(3) public charity. EIN number 45-3616612