A New Situation
Many of you who have visited the University of Life will have been struck by how different it is from the dirt and dangers of the surrounding favela – its an oasis of safety where children can play and learn in relative tranquillity.
Thirty years ago the campus you see below, outlined in yellow, was on the outskirts of the city. However, today its surrounded by illegal housing, where local syndicates have lured people desperate for shelter into renting cheap, illegal shacks built right up to the walls of the campus.
How Does This Impact The University of Life?
- Two-storey shacks now look straight into the school, causing safeguarding and security risks.
- The illegal shacks have blocked the run-off of waste water from the project, meaning that classrooms can flood in the rainy season, and standing water can cause diseases such as dengue fever.
- The ambient noise levels from music, domestic living, animals etc. make it more difficult to teach and learn.
- The illegal building increases danger as drug trafficking and gang activities are much closer to the school.
UNiViDA needs to take immediate steps to help protect the University of Life property, keep it safe and maintain an attractive learning environment for the 260 children who use it every day.
What Is Needed ?
Classroom Protection – The classroom is the most important environment in the project. With solar panels to offset energy costs, we’ll be able to enclose classrooms and use air-conditioning to make them cooler, quieter places, where teachers and students can focus on learning outcomes rather than outside distractions.
Wall Repairs & Reinforcements – Perimeter walls need to be strengthened, and in some places raised, to maintain security.
Trees & Landscaping – With less ventilation, more shaded areas are needed where children can safely play and study. Planting trees between the classrooms and the walls will also help with privacy.
New Drainage Channels – Runoff from the intense tropical rains used to flow into the green space at the back of the project. Now we need to install new drainage systems including pumps, to stop classrooms from flooding and eliminate standing water which poses a health risk.
In 2020 we are raising £50,000 to keep The University of Life safe, create an
effective learning environment, and see more lives transformed.
Close Up – The Slums and The University of Life
On the right hand side you can see the perimeter wall of The University of Life. These are the walls that need to be reinforced.
On the left are the classrooms. Planting trees will help to cool our classrooms and increase privacy. Air conditioning in the classrooms will help to reduce the noise transmitted from these homes during the daytime, while we are trying to teach.
An Environmental Treasure
As you can see from the Google map images, this is an investment in the precious little green open space that children living in the favela can enjoy. The University of Life is an environmental treasure in the favela.
As we continue to preserve and improve our facility, children will continue to receive the quality care and education that they deserve. They will be able to enjoy our playground, football pitches and relaxing open spaces without fear of violence, sunburn or diseases like dengue fever.
What Is Needed ?
£50,000 is a lot of money to raise in a year, so we really need your help!!
We hugely appreciate your giving over the years and understand that giving more is not always easy or possible. However, we do ask if you would please prayerfully consider how you could support this urgent and important campaign in the following ways:
Giving
- Pledge now – An amount to support this campaign, to be paid when you are able
- Use online banking or speak to your bank to set up a second standing order for 12 months to give your campaign pledge monthly.
- Give now – Choose a gift amount
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£5,000 |
£2,500 | £1,500 | £1,000 | £750 | £500 |
| £200 | £100 | £75 | £50 | £20 | £ Other |
Tell others
- Share this page or print our campaign factsheet to give to friends and family
- Let UNiViDA know of any businesses, foundations, schools, churches or other groups that might be inspired to give to this campaign
Fundraise
- You don’t need to run a marathon, or cycle to John o’ Groats to fundraise (although if you want to…!). we have loads of ways to raise funds at home, at school, at work and simply by shopping!!) Here are some of our ideas:
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Events – gain sponsorship for: |
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| Walking
Running Trekking |
Swimming
Cycling Triathlon |
| At home | |
| Coffee mornings
Cake sales Pamper nights Movie nights Girls / Guys night in |
Bake off challenge
Collect loose change Sponsored – silence, give up a vice (e.g. chocolate – donate cost saving) |
| At work | |
| Guess number of sweets in jar
Raffle Get employers to match giving Monthly cash draw |
Cake sale
Dress down day Donate working hours |
| At school | |
| No uniform day | Brazil themed day |
| At church | |
| Quiz night
Barn dance Karaoke Auction of promises Cake sale |
Get youth to offer services for sponsorship
Fun walk or run Easter egg painting |
| Community | |
| Jumble sale
Car boot sale (run one, or just take a stall) Stall at a local fair to promote charity |
Face painting at local event
Supermarket packing Plant sale |
| Shopping | |
| Select UNIVIDA as your charity when you use
TheGivingMachine.co.uk |
Donate your cashback
Topcashback Quidco Collect coins in a jar at home or work |
All campaign donations will be used to safeguard the children we serve; plant trees, purchase solar panels, modify classrooms and protect property from flooding.