In 2013 the Ministry of Social Solidarity allocated $75,240 to the Youth Communication Forum (FCJ) to put a noticeboard in Kaikoli to warn children against washing cars to earn a living, but in reality this has continued. 
FCJ Director Viriato Alves Lobato said they could not shutdown the area for washing cars, as this would be very difficult, but said they approached local authorities and families to reduce the number of children working on the street.
“Yes, the budget was given to put a noticeboard in Kaikoli to say children could not wash cars, but politically we can’t directly close this place down, it’s difficult and this takes time,” said Director Lobato in Balide, Dili.
He said when children work by selling things on the street, it’s a problem for all sectors and it’s complicated to stop in a short time because it relates to people’s mentality about protecting children.
They managed to execute 30% of the MSS budget through activities like holding dialogues with local authorities and families and organizing entertainment for children who work on the street.
He added the number of the children working on the street continues to increase, because of economic and family problems.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Novenio Pascoal said based on the economic situation of his family there was no other way and he had to work on the street to earn money to help the family.
He considered the area to be like an office for them to earn money, so if the government had the initiative to close the area they should create the conditions for their families.
“We ourselves want to do this job as we can earn money to buy some things for ourselves and our school,” he said.
On the other hand, 11-year-old Anton Kolo also appreciated his current job selling eggs because he could earn money to help his family in the districts.
He also said currently there were many organizations that used them to get funding from donors, but in reality they didn’t create a good plan for them to access training.
Kolo acknowledged that education is important, but said people could not go to school if their families didn’t have the conditions to support them.
