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← Street Kids Direct

2025-03-31-accounts

Annual

Report

STREET KIDS DIRECT “until the last child”

Registered Charity 1102894

INTRODUCTION

Our Vision

To see no more street-living children worldwide.

Our Mission

Rescue street-living children worldwide, “until the last child.”

Prevent more children from taking the steps towards street life.

Street Kids Direct

Changing the lives of the most vulnerable street-living and highrisk children and youth around the world.

In 2001, Street Kids Direct was born from a simple yet bold vision: that every penny donated would go directly to changing the lives of the most vulnerable children in Latin America. What started as a small, volunteer-led charity in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, has grown into a movement of compassion, partnership, and transformation.

For 24 years, we’ve stood alongside street-living and at-risk children, offering safety, opportunity, and the chance to dream again. Working hand-in-hand with dedicated local partners in Guatemala and Honduras, we’ve supported children who once called the streets home and walked with them toward a brighter future.

And the impact? It’s remarkable.

From an estimated 5,000 children living on the streets in Guatemala, to zero. That’s not just a statistic— it’s a testament to what’s possible when we believe in change, invest in prevention, and love without condition.

Today, our focus is shifting, not because the need is gone, but because the future calls us forward. We’re now embarking on a global initiative to map where street-living children are across the world. We hope that this data will shape national strategies, inform interventions, and help children not only leave the streets but thrive far beyond them.

For nearly a quarter of a century, your support has made this possible. And as we look to the next chapter, we invite you to dream with us again, of a world where no child has to sleep on the streets and every child can reach their full potential.

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3 - Introduction

4 - The Challenge

6 - Director´s Report

7 - The Team

8 - Jesus´ Story

10 - The Door of Hope

12 - Isaac´s Journey

13 - Proyecto Alas

15 - Go Guatemala

16 - SKDGuatemala

18 - Radio Christmas

19 - Acknowledgements

20 - Financial Report

22 - Contact

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 3

THE CHALLENGE

Across Guatemala and Honduras, thousands of children live on the edge of crisis every day. These are children growing up in some of the most dangerous and under-resourced communities in Central America, places where poverty, violence, family breakdown, and a lack of educational opportunity create the perfect storm for street involvement.

The frontline of prevention

Many of these children are not yet living on the streets, but they are at serious risk of ending up there.

They are the children left home alone while parents work long hours in insecure jobs, or who have dropped out of school or never enrolled. And then there are the children who work on the streets to survive and support their families.

In both countries, the pull of gang life is growing. Violent groups such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 prey on vulnerable children,

often recruiting boys as young as 8 to act as lookouts, runners, or even enforcers.

For many, the gang offers identity, protection, and a false sense of belonging, things they cannot find at home or school.

What we have found through years of experience is simple but powerful: if we can keep a child in school and connected to a caring adult, we can keep them off the streets .

Education provides not just knowl-

edge, but structure, purpose, and community. Our mentoring model builds consistent relationships with children at high risk, helping them navigate challenges, stay in school, and imagine a different future.

The stakes are high. Every child we keep in school is a child less likely to join a gang. Every child who receives support is a child who may never need to survive on the streets.

This is the frontline of prevention, and this is the problem Street Kids Direct was born to address.

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The Reality

• In Guatemala, more than 14,000 young people are believed to be active in gangs, and over 400 gangs are operating nationwide.

• In Honduras, more than 150,000 children and adolescents are estimated to be out of school, a key risk factor for street and gang involvement.

• In both countries, youth aged 15–24 make up the largest share of homicide victims, most of them male, and many connected to gang violence.

• According to UNICEF, 1 in 2 children in Guatemala lives in multidimensional poverty, lacking access to education, healthcare, and protection.

football, some simple games, and open hearts, the team gathers small groups of children together for laughter, connection, and meaningful conversation.

Every week, our Prevention Teams step into the heart of Guatemala City’s most vulnerable zones, meeting children where they are, often on the very streets that threaten to shape their future.

For children growing up with a high connection to street life, the risks are

Armed with nothing more than a

severe and rise with each day they spend unsupervised or exposed to the dangers of the street. From gang recruitment to exploitation, from addiction to abandonment, the streets don’t offer safety, but survival.

Through regular outreach, the team helps children build resilience, not just against the pull of the street, but against the trauma, poverty, and instability that often brought them there in the first place.

This is where prevention begins, not in policies or paperwork, but in presence. And it’s making all the difference.

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 5

DIRECTOR´S

REPORT

DUNCAN DYASON MBE

As I write this from Guatemala City, I’m reminded daily of the challenges children here face—but even more, I’m reminded of the incredible difference your support is making.

Duncan (left) with Duncan Manuel - a boy rescued from the streets of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Every donation, every prayer, and every moment of encouragement sent our way is felt here on the ground, in the smiles of children who are learning to read, in the confidence of teenagers leading younger kids, and in the relief of parents who know their children are safe.

Over the last year, I’ve had the privilege of watching our partners in Guatemala and Honduras grow in both strength and vision. Their commitment, courage, and creativity continue to inspire me. Whether running mentoring sessions, visiting homes, preparing meals, or standing with families in crisis, they are the heroes of this story, and it’s your

generosity that allows their work to flourish.

Thanks to your continued support, we have been able to expand our reach by 10%, welcoming more children into our programmes and deepening our impact in some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s more children mentored, more school uniforms provided, more meals served, and more futures changed.

We’ve strengthened our partnerships, launched new initiatives, and walked with hundreds of at-

risk children through another year of challenges and victories. And through it all, we’ve remained faithful to the heart of Street Kids Direct: to be present, to be generous, and to never give up on a child.

As we celebrate 24 years of Street Kids Direct, I want to thank you on behalf of every child who now feels seen, safe, and supported. You are helping rewrite stories of despair into stories of hope.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Duncan Dyason MBE Director & Trustee

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THE TEAM

Matt Levett is a Baptist Minister in Long Buckby and has worked with high-risk children and youth for over 25 years, and visits the projects in Central America each year. Matt lectures on youth culture and youth work and offers his unique perspective on the work in Central America.

Joanna Soden is a busy working mother from Amersham and is committed to the work in Central America and visits every two years. Joanna runs her own cake business and is a trained Christian counsellor.

Jonathan Harbottle

lives in Amersham and has been supporting the charity for over ten years. Jonathan is a chartered surveyor who lives with his wife and two sons in Amersham. He runs his own development company and is passionate about the work with street-living children worldwide.

Duncan Dyason first started working with street-living children in Guatemala in 1992 and continues to live in Guatemala City, where he volunteers for the projects the charity supports. Duncan is also developing the global strategy to reach every street-living child over the next 25 years.

Steve & Lindsey Poulson, Charity Workers

Steve & Lindsey volunteer with and direct the Proyecto Alas outreach project in Honduras, helping high-risk children and youth. They also manage the businesses that help fund their work and will play a central role in the global mapping programme we have begun.

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 7

Duncan (left) with Jesús

From the rubbish dump to a future of hope - Jesus´ Story

Growing up on a rubbish dump is not something most of us reading this report can truly imagine. Thankfully, many of us grew up with a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, and the support of a family.

But for Jesús and his younger brother Marcos, childhood looked very different. From their earliest memories, life was a daily battle for survival.

Every morning, long before dawn, the boys would wake up just after 3:00 a.m. and walk to the nearest

bus stop with their mother. They would catch the first bus into the centre of Guatemala City, a journey that took nearly two hours. After disembarking, they’d walk another half an hour to reach the rubbish dump in the central market area (La Terminal).

There, they worked for two hours scavenging through piles of waste before heading to school.

Jesús once told me how ashamed he felt arriving at school with the smell of the dump clinging to his

clothes. Classmates would mock him and his brother for their tattered shirts, broken shoes, and the unmistakable odour that followed them throughout the day.

After school, the routine continued. They returned to the dump, sometimes eating food their mother had found earlier that morning. Then, exhausted, they would attempt to do their homework. But tasks like “investigations,” which required internet access and printing photos, were impossible for boys living in those conditions.

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It’s easy to understand why Jesús and Marcos struggled in school, and why so many children in their position drop out entirely. Without support, their path often leads to street life, child labour, or gangs.

Thankfully, this is not where their story ended.

Through the support of Street Kids Direct and our local partners, both boys received educational assistance, mentoring, and emotional support. We walked with them through their most vulnerable years, helping them stay in school and of-

fering hope when the odds seemed stacked against them.

Just recently, I met up with Jesús again. Now a young adult, he smiled as we reminisced about his childhood. Then, with quiet sincerity, he said something I’ll never forget:

“If it wasn’t for you and the charity, I think I’d be dead now.”

Today, Jesús and his brother Marcos are living proof that your support changes lives. Both boys completed secondary school. Marcos went on to work in an animal rescue centre and Jesus was offered a job man-

aging a small business in La Terminal. He’s now saving to start his own venture and dreams of earning enough to support his mother, so she no longer has to work on the dump.

Jesús’ journey, like that of his brother Marcos, is one of hardship, resilience, and transformation. And it’s also a reminder: when we come alongside a child in crisis with love, consistency, and opportunity, we don’t just change their story. We help them write a new one.

Duncan Dyason

==> picture [120 x 22] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Marcos & Jesús with their
mother, Doña Olivia, in 2015
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DOOR OF HOPE

A Door of Hope for Guatemala’s Street-Connected Children

In the heart of Guatemala City, where poverty, danger, and displacement shape daily life, Puerta de Esperanza—the Door of Hope—is living up to its name. This remarkable project is offering not just a safe place to learn, but a lifeline to children who are among the most at risk in the city.

Serving the communities of La Terminal and Zona 8, the project reaches children and young people with strong ties to street life, many of whom are working to survive or have dropped out of formal education entirely. Others have never even stepped into a classroom. Every day brings new pressures, and for many, the streets appear to offer more stability than home.

But Puerta de Esperanza, with ongoing support from Street Kids Direct, is rewriting that story.

Each day, around 180 children walk through the centre’s doors, not only to receive vital support for surviv-

al, but to find a place where they can thrive. A specialised education programme helps those outside the school system re-engage with learning through an accessible online curriculum. Children who are already enrolled in school receive daily homework support, bridging the significant gaps in under-re-

sourced classrooms.

In some of the city’s most marginalised informal settlements, the team extends its outreach to support 100 slum-dwelling children three times a week. With parenting workshops, school starter kits, and consistent family engagement, the centre

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works not just with the child but with the home, equipping families to become part of the long-term solution.

The scale of support offered is extraordinary. Thanks to strong partnerships with the Guatemala City Council and local businesses, the project serves nearly 6,000 breakfasts and 12,000 lunches every week, ensuring that no child is too hungry to learn or grow.

What makes Puerta de Esperanza especially unique is its deep commitment to listening to the children it serves. The charity actively involves children and their parents in planning and shaping activities. Cultural trips and new experiences have helped children connect with their national identity, take pride in their heritage, and build confidence in who they are.

greater impact and efficiency.

Finally, Puerta de Esperanza continues to grow through strategic collaboration. By contributing to local networks and receiving support from other NGOs and the Municipal Government, the charity has strengthened its ability to serve and respond to the complex needs of the community.

In every way, Puerta de Esperanza is not just offering hope; it is equipping children and families with the tools to build a future where the streets no longer feel like their only option.

One beautiful result of this dialogue was the children’s idea to start their own bakery. Plans are now underway to build a small kitchen where children will learn bread-making, a skill that not only feeds their families but also fosters creativity, responsibility, and community contribution.

Over the last year, the team has also invested in strengthening its internal operations. They have revised key manuals, refined their theory of change, and systemised programme processes to ensure

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 11

Isaac’s Journey:

From Disillusionment

to Determination

Josué Isaac lives in La Terminal, Guatemala City and has learned the toughest of life´s lessons. His story is just another example of how your support changes lives.

Josué Isaac Pacajoj (photo) is a young man whose life has taken a dramatic and inspiring turn, thanks to the consistent support of Puerta de Esperanza and the National Alternative Education Programme (PRONEA).

After a period of instability, including time spent in a group home, Isaac faced deep discouragement and a lack of direction. But everything began to change when he was given a second chance through education. With guidance, structure, and unwavering encouragement from the Puerta de Esperanza team, Isaac began to rediscover his sense of purpose.

He has now completed the second stage of primary school and has proudly begun the next stage of his academic journey. Not only is he excelling in his studies, but he also

participates actively in both educational and recreational activities at the centre, showing a renewed commitment and a consistently positive attitude.

Isaac’s story is a powerful testament to the difference that support, trust, and safe spaces can make in a young person’s life. His transformation is not only a story of self-improvement, but it’s a clear sign that with the right guidance, the streets no longer appear to him as a viable option. Instead, he is choosing a path of hope, purpose, and possibility.

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PROYECTO ALAS

A Safe Haven in Talanga: How Proyecto Alas Is Changing Lives

Thanks to the continued support from Street Kids Direct, Proyecto Alas in Talanga, Honduras, has been able to keep its doors open—and with it, the hope alive for dozens of vulnerable children.

The mentoring centre, made possible through ongoing rental support from Street Kids Direct, is more than just a building. It’s a daily refuge for street-connected and at-risk children, a space where the children can meet with their mentor, receive help with schoolwork, build friendships, and enjoy activities designed to boost their confidence, creativity, and emotional well-being.

Each child who walks through its doors is not just welcomed, they’re known, mentored, and supported holistically. Regular one-to-one time with a dedicated mentor and access to a child psychologist ensure that healing, growth, and trans-

formation are always within reach.

However, what makes Proyecto Alas truly remarkable is the way it has become deeply embedded in the heart of the Talanga community. The team has cultivated deep relationships with local authorities, schools, and even gang leaders, relationships built on respect, trust, and a shared hope for the town’s future.

Because of this, the centre is not only protected, but also embraced. It’s watched over by the wider community, proof that when love leads the way, even the most challenging environments can become places of safety and change.

These daily moments of care, structure, and encouragement inside the centre have proven to be life-changing. Many of the children who once arrived afraid or with-

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STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025

drawn have gone on to complete their education, pursue careers, and build lives of purpose and dignity.

Some are now thriving in university, two have become dedicated police officers, and another has joined the army, showcasing their commitment to serving and protecting their country.

One impressive individual has even landed a role with the FBI. Several others are future healthcare heroes, currently studying in medical college, while others have pursued careers that align perfectly with their unique talents and passions.

Each of these incredible young adults serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that steadfast support and unwavering

dedication can have. Their stories are not just victories for them individually but a testament to the long-lasting difference your support continues to make here in Central America.

One person who personifies this transformation is Owen (photo above, right). His journey has been a battle for survival, and his story is one of resilience in the face of trauma, neglect and abandonment. Owen, once a fragile boy, still struggles to articulate the trauma that led him to a depressing life he endured during his time sleeping on the city streets.

Throughout the years, Alas and Street Kids Direct have done everything they can to provide him with care and support despite his

sometimes difficult choices. Yet, through every trial and setback, one unwavering truth has kept him moving forward: the knowledge that he is genuinely loved.

His determination to transform his pain into a beacon of hope for others is nothing short of inspirational.

Witnessing his journey from a heartbroken child to a committed young social worker reinforces the immeasurable impact of unwavering love over the last sixteen years.

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GO GUATEMALA

Hope in Zona 18: Go Guatemala’s Lifeline for At-Risk Youth

For over 12 years, Street Kids Direct has proudly supported the Go Guatemala Project—a vital initiative bringing light and hope to one of Guatemala City’s most challenging areas: Zona 18.

Zona 18 is known not just for its poverty, but for its deep-rooted gang presence. Many of its neighbourhoods live under the shadow of violence, where recruitment into gangs is a daily risk for young people seeking identity, safety, or survival.

additional academic support and help children stay engaged with their education despite the pressures surrounding them.

Thanks to Street Kids Direct, the project has a physical home—a secure and welcoming centre where all of this life-changing work happens. Our supporters fund the rental of the facility, and at key moments, we help raise additional funds for infrastructure improvements or to support families in times of crisis.

Amid this reality, Go Guatemala offers a creative alternative.

Each Saturday, the centre comes alive with the sound of laughter, learning, and community as 120 enrolled children gather for Saturday Club—a programme filled with mentoring, Christian-based teaching, creative activities, and a safe place to simply be a child. During the week, homework clubs provide

The Go Guatemala team has earned deep trust in the local community and stands as a quiet but powerful force for change in an area too often forgotten. And while the risks in Zona 18 remain real, so too does the resilience of the children—and the belief that hope can grow in even the hardest places.

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SKDGUATEMALA

Building brighter futures - mentoring at-risk children

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the SKDGuatemala team, the project has made remarkable strides in supporting over 140 vulnerable children across Guatemala City.

At the heart of this work are three dynamic mentoring centres, each strategically located in communities where children are most at risk of becoming street-involved. These centres provide more than just safe spaces; they offer belonging, guidance, and consistent relationships that can change the course of a child’s life.

The Street Kids Direct (SKD) mentoring programme is the foundation of everything SKDGuatemala does. It pairs children with trusted, caring adults who walk alongside them, helping them make positive life choices and discover their true potential. It’s not a quick fix—it’s a journey of trust, growth, and transformation.

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Every child enrolled in the programme receives a comprehensive personal evaluation that looks at their academic progress, general health, and even vision. But the support doesn’t stop at the centre. The team conducts regular home visits and maintains ongoing communication with schools to ensure each child is supported holistically, at home, in school, and within the wider community.

Recognising that a child’s environment plays a vital role in their development. SKDGuatemala has also invested in parenting classes for all families involved. These sessions equip parents with the tools and encouragement needed to create a more nurturing home life.

A partnership with the Social Work Department at San Carlos University has further enriched the work

with the children. Through in-depth family evaluations, the team have gained valuable insights into the daily realities these families face, from financial hardship to social instability, allowing us to offer more tailored and impactful support.

Together, SKD and SKDGuatemala are building a network of care around every child, a web of trust, opportunity, and hope that reaches far beyond the streets.

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have been directly impacted by the projects Street Kids Direct supports, and their words—raw, honest, and full of hope—captured the hearts of listeners around the globe.

Schools across the Chilterns once again played a vital role, participating in the popular daily School Hour shows. Children also had the opportunity to present their own radio segments from home, connecting virtually to the Guatemala studio via Microsoft Teams, bridging distances and building global awareness.

Radio Christmas – Broadcasting Hope Around the World

In December, Radio Christmas returned with heart and purpose, this time broadcasting live from the Centro Opp mentoring centre in Guatemala City.

minating on Christmas Eve. It was a bold undertaking, made possible by the dedication of volunteers and the energy of children whose voices carried messages of hope across continents.

Running daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm (UK time), the 24-day marathon of live programming was a true labour of love, cul-

What made this year truly special were the stories shared by children and young people from Honduras and Guatemala. Many of them

The impact was not only emotional—it was also financial.

Thanks to the generosity of our listeners, the project raised nearly £18,000 during the Christmas season. Even more encouragingly, £10,000 of that was matched by a generous supporter, doubling the impact for the children and projects we serve.

Once again, Radio Christmas reminded us of the power of storytelling, connection, and community. It brought together people of all ages, from both sides of the world, in celebration of the hope we share, and the change we can make together.

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THANK YOU

The trustees of Street Kids Direct extend their deepest gratitude for your faithful, committed, and generous support of our work in Central America.

Your contributions continue to transform lives, helping hundreds of at-risk children in Guatemala and Honduras find safety, hope, and the opportunity to thrive. We hope this report has clearly shown the meaningful impact you’ve made possible.

Steve & Nicola Raher

Steve & Nicola continue to work tirelessly from their home in Chesham to support Street Kids Direct. Steve focuses on events and fundraising, and Nicola coordinates the work in local schools.

We would also like to extend special thanks to:

Together, your support and service ensure that Street Kids Direct can remain true to its mission: 100% for the children. Thank you for being part of this journey of transformation.

Helen Carmody

Helen works as a volunteer with Street Kids Direct, championing the cause in schools in the High Wycombe area.

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 19

FINANCIAL REPORT

Stephen Castrcc Flat 7

37-38 Adelaide Crescent Hove East Sussex BNJ 2JL

To: The Trustees of Street Kids Direct

Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees of Street Kids Direct Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025.

I report on the accounts of the Street Kids Direct Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025, which are set out on one page.

Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the examiner.

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of the independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited 10 those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come 10 my attention:

(I) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Stephen Castree

BA Comb Hons. ACA, MBA, BA(PPE) Date 2nd June 2025

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Accounts have been prepared on a cash basis from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025

Street Kids Direct Bank Details: General Current Account held with HSBC Bank 181 High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3HQ

STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025STREET KIDS DIRECT ANNUAL REPORT 2024-2025 2121

CONTACT US

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A D D R E S S : 2 C E N T E N A R Y W A Y , A M E R S H A M , B U C K I N G H A M S H I R E , H P 6 6 U L U N I T E D K I N G D O M

C O N T A C T I N F O : + 4 4 1 4 9 4 8 5 8 4 7 0 i n f o @ s t r e e t k i d s d i r e c t . o r g . u k s t r e e t k i d s d i r e c t . o r g . u k

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