Help street children in Brazil

This update was translated by staff and volunteers of Dreams Can Be Foundation
August, 2008
1546 - 100 Needy Kids off the Street and Productive – Lona das Artes
Hello- this is the Project “Lona das Artes” and in one year we had a “triple jump” in conquests, partnerships, structural, organizational and institutional growth of our projects. One of the greatest conquests was our long awaited headquarters, the creation of communitarian programs, awards for work done with youth, a seminar with subjects about diversity, environment and racial discrimination. We also know that we still have a lot of things to do in the communities where we serve youth such as the construction of a multimedia center, the acquisition of basic orthodontic services , materials for Spanish, music and circus lessons. The dreams are high and happily we can always count on many dreamers like us; who like us have the intention to reduce social inequalities. Providing joy and fun that only the circus world can bring. “RESPECTABLE PEOPLE WELCOME TO THE “ LONA DAS ARTES” , WHERE EVERYTHING CAN HAPPEN”
The construction of the headquarters of the project is almost done, we foresee our inauguration in October of 2008, with an office, dressing-room, two bathrooms and a kitchen. Around our Big Top, that currently serves of 250 youth with social circus lessons, percussion, dance and theater classes. This headquarters has been under construction for one year, initiated with the help of the people from the community, who collect, bricks, cement, wood, donated labor and a lot of little donations. But to meet the demands of children entering the project we are still in need of more supporters, donors and volunteers to keep up.
Currently we trying a program for economic inclusion, where we take the most disciplined and responsible youth adults to events at malls, companies, and seasonal gatherings and perform shows. With this we attempt to obtain the sustainability of the NGO and at the same time to generate economic resources for the adolescents that lack solid alternatives for inclusion in the economy. We strive to have productions of the highest quality. To see a little of this program click the link. below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksoyhCMzZ0A
Weslley Elói, his father in prison, his mother dead from cancer, arrives at the project in September of 2006 invited by companions, very introverted and emotional; Weslley identified with the techniques of individual training and chooses the contortion as a modality of circus arts. With time the playful dynamic of groups and games at work in the social circus programs form intra/interpersonal experiences that begin to make a difference in the communication and in the dialogue of these types of youth. This was the case with Weslley. The project then integrated him to other modalities, such as fabric acrobatics (as seen in theater such as Cirque du Soleil) and mini-trampoline, his evolution was huge, and through a partnership with the Secretary of Sports of Campinas we sent him to practice with the Olympic Gymnasts, in May of 2008 he took second place in the regional eliminations, bringing great pride to the educators who had followed him. At the beginning of the year spontaneously he suggested to learn and to give workshops and to re-pass what he has learned from the project. Today Weslley is a monitor in training in the program of formation of educators.
At the start of our projects activities, the founder observed some singular problems in the children who began coming to the projects. Many had similarities in their aggressiveness, crying, shyness, their lack of ability to relate and even in their poor nutrition. The explanation was founded in the family structure where it contained aggression to the youth, abuses and lack of options, and in the difficulties in living in a destitute community. These symtoms have been shaped in recent years through work in different disciplines, guided activities and the integration of the families into the project through weekly meetings, seeking support and the basis of the project. “The parents participate, they can see the learning of the children and they learn together, of course. “Here it is forbidden to smoke and to drink”, emphasizes Rodrigo.
The group “Best Age” (women with more than 60 years old), has held activities in the community for more than a decade, also uses the space for the handicraft workshops, painting and gymnastics. They have begun giving their knowledge to youth ones. On Saturdays, in two classes (4PM and 8PM), the space changes to “ Cine-circo” , where we show films of the traditional Cirque du Soleil. “The presentations involve the community and discussions happen after the exhibitions”, say the founder. Also on Saturdays, lessons of Spanish and examinations by dentists, take place at the project “Smile of the Clown” . The next steps are focusing on overcoming social inclusion and to extend the program of economic inclusion of the youth through new partnerships, collaborators, sponsors and basically supporters of the project. Inside of the program we will have the outcome of artistic shows (where it will include technique, operational, production and cast) and Malls (through workshops and performances) a self sustainable program of quality, economic generation of income, strengthening of the involved families and growth of the self esteem of these youth. “We believe in the success of this new program because we constructed the necessary basis over the years”
The contribution of the donors from Global Giving is so important to us and we welcome all their partnership, through these resources, we gained acrobatic mattresses and a projector for the program CINE-CIRCO (exhibition of free films for the popular communities, without access to movie theaters and entertainment), instruments of juggling equipment and the training of two youth educators. Therefore on behalf of the 443 people served by the project and between family and youth, and educators we want to be thankful for the support that you have given and we invite you to know more about the project through our site (www.lonadasartes.org), all aid is welcome. Thank you!

Links:

• one of the productions made by the project
• Great website - but in Portuguese- have a look

Pictures:

• newspaper article with photos- portuguese (JPG)