The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), estimate that there are 509 favelas or slums in Fortaleza. These are areas with no planning controls, dense populations, high levels of poverty, high levels of crime, and poor sanitation. Consequently they are also places of fear, sickness, depression and hopelessness.
Many children quickly come face to face with the only real career options available to them. At best this might be work as a domestic maid or a street vendor, at worst it is prostitution, theft or drug dealing. Violence in favelas is under-reported and terrifying. Estimates put the number of murders each year in Brazil between 40 and 50,000. According to the UN, that’s enough to class it as a low intensity civil war zone.
We believe that children growing up in these conditions should have the opportunity to dream and discover their potential, just as any other child. With a focus on education, we provide a safe and inspirational environment for children everyday.
In the morning we provide 4 hours of quality education to children who attend State school in the afternoon. And in the afternoon we provide another 4 hours of quality education to those who attended State school in the morning.
We serve children from year 2 to year 9, teaching portuguese, maths, science, geography and history. We also offer homework assistance. In addition, our students receive classes in IT, drama, dance, PE, and music. We host special events throughout the year for parents.
