Help at-risk children in Brazil

This update was translated by staff and volunteers of Dreams Can Be Foundation
August, 2008

1543 Job Training and Internships for Favela Youth – Crescer e Viver
Dear Partners,
CRESCER E VIVER thanks all the people that have believed in us and continue believing and have helped us to arrive where we are today. The project SCHOOL OF SOCIAL CIRCUS continues taking care of the 200 children, adolescents and youth that live in situations of risk and social vulnerability. This year it was possible to characterize our actions through investments in educative materials and new partnerships, as well as the contribution of volunteers and financial donations. We hope to continue counting on your help!
In this project, the kids participate in playful, artistic and cultural activities that contribute to their educational and childhood development. More than 14 circus modalities are offered among other artistic languages. Our more advanced youth are now acting as monitors and beginning to teach the youther kids what they have learned. Moreover, those that more develop their abilities and circus techniques act as youth artists in the shows made by CRESCER E VIVER.
Djferson Mendes, 22 years old, was a car washer and was out of the school. Today, he is one of the most distinguished youth in our Institution for his commitment, devotion and talent in making and teaching circus. He has also returned to his studies, and he became a great artist and example for the other boys and girls of the project.
Alan Davi, 21 years old, participates in the project since the beginning, seven years ago, today he acts as an educator and artist for CRESCER E VIVER. His income has increased and his capacity to establish new bonds has increased significantly and teaching the beginners has made it possible to establish an economic security and has added to his capacity to work in this field.
The social change means steps toward the economic question. Offering activities that contribute to the educative development of children and youth, in determined moment needs to create alternative measures for economic inclusion of the youth. In this direction, we saw that the best way is to focus on their abilities in educative and artistic activities, to act as artists and educators; these being a mechanism of work and income generation. Vinicius Daumas (Program Coordinator)
CRESCER E VIVER decided to bet on the artistic potential of the youth served, investing in the production of a circus show that could give visibility to the youth and generate work and income. In the last year the show Vida da Artista ‘Life of Artist’ was a landmark for CRESCER E VIVER in that it proved the concrete possibility for change and the capacity of generating a cultural product of quality. Now, in 2008, we are undertaking a new spectacle that will fortify the idea of creating a Circus Company for the youth served by CRESCER E VIVER. These youth, beyond acting as the protagonists of this Company will form the board of educators who will act in the project.
For us, partnership does not come only through donations. It is a fact that your financial contribution has been a significant collaboration with our project, however, we believe that your involvement and the follow up of our actions on behalf of our partners can bring many more benefits. We ask that you continue believing in action such as ours. Follow us, ask questions, if you have any doubts ask us, come visit us, therefore we are sure that simple gestures can generate great results for people in need.

Links:

• youth talking about being in project (Portuguese)
• project on TV Show- PLEASE WATCH- in Portuguese- but you can see
• Founder of project Junior speaking about project (Portuguese)

Pictures:

• Alan Davi, 21 years old (JPG)