Alternatives to Violence for Rio Street Child

Summary

Community-based project in Baixada Fluminese, a needy suburb of Rio helps over 250 street children between the ages of 14-17, to overcome poverty & drug gangs by integration into art and education.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Drug trafficking offers favela youth things that society does not: status; money and access to goods; as well as social ascension; in a world with sub-par education and no real opportunity. In the impoverished community of Baixa Fluminese, where children as young as 8 years old get involved with the drug trade. Circo Baixada is bringing kids back to school and working to integrate them into sustainable and safe futures through education and activities that build self-esteem and self reliance.

How will this project solve this problem?

Children who attend school enjoy after school programs in social circus & art; open classes to community youth for job training, Health information, citizen rights, & drug recovery/prevention; resources to choose a more productive life overcrime.

Potential Long Term Impact

250 youth followed over a year 97% remain in school; keeping them off the street and away from crime with healthy alternatives and the ability to envision a future out of the drug trade.

Project Message

This is a relatively new project and is urgently needing support as it is located in one of Rio’s poorest and most dangerous areas, & has been very successful in getting children into positive pathway
- Christine Clauser, Development Director Dreams Can Be Foundation

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources