(ANS – Guayaquil) – On Sunday 18 March, Fr Francisco Sánchez, Director General of the Project “Chicos de la Calle” Foundation in Guayaquil, went to Montevideo, in Uruguay, to receive the “Juscelino Kubitschek” Award for Regional Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the “Society, Culture and Science” category. It was presented by Dr. Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Interamerican Bank for Development (BID, in Spanish).

The “Juscelino Kubitschek” Award was created in 2008 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the BID and the underline the commitment of the Bank to supporting efforts to reduce poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean. It commemorates Juscelino Kubitschek, a Brazilian idealist and politician who was behind the creation of a multi-dimensional Institute capable of establishing links between the north and the south of the continent, in order to promote development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Award provides 50.000 dollars for the recipients in two categories: Economy and Finance;  Society, Culture and Science.

In each category the recipients are selected on the  basis of determined factors, such as the nature, sustainability and innovative aspect of the project. The Salesian Project for Street Children in Guayaquil was given first place since it provides complete care for over 1,500 boys and girls, adolescents and young people at risk.

Last September Dr. Moreno informed Fr Sánchez of the decision of the Award Selection Committee  and officially thanked all those involved in the Salesian Project for the work undertaken on behalf of the needy since 1990, describing it as “a contribution which bears witness to the transformation that is possible in our Region and among its people.”

Published 26/03/2012