Indigenous Youth Achieving Dreams in Brazil

Hello MSMC supporters!

We are back with more great news. During these months, MSMC continued its mission to help indigenous youth in Ceará, as well as expand its work to other indigenous communities in Brazil.

Remember that the focus of this project is to inspire indigenous youth to dream and to go after their dreams. MSMC helps them achieve their dreams through educational and professional support, among other forms of assistance.

We begin by highlighting the story of Judimar (Juca) Fernandes.

A little background first: In 2012, members of the MSMC team visited some indigenous tribes in the Amazons. Among the tribes was the Dessana, which is the last tribe along the Black River (Rio Negro), right on the border with Colombia.

During their visit with the Dessana, MSMC team members met many youths who had given up on having dreams; they lived without ambition and some even contemplated suicide. But one young man they met, Judimar (Juca) Fernandes, thought differently.

Since November, Juca has been pursuing his dream to complete a technical certificate program in IT. He has made significant sacrifices to make this happen, even temporarily moving from his small, Amazonian village to the city of Fortaleza, Ceará (where MSMC is located) to attend classes. Congratulations Juca on your commitment to your dream!

Per usual, MSMC has stayed very busy. Over the last few months, MSMC has accomplished the following:

• Enrolled new students in various technical programs at the Technical School of Maracanaú
• The spiritual leader Pajé Barbosa participated with MSMC in the First Seminar on Indigenous Peoples and Mental Health
• Held the first Indigenous Youth and Traditional Communities of Ceará Camping Trip
• 2 Pitaguary indigenous youths have graduated from the technical program in Nursing
• Various home visits to Pitaguary families from Monguba and Santo Antônio, in which medical and psychiatric services were provided when necessary
• Art, music, and culture workshops for 15 youths at the Indigenous Cras Social Assistance Center, through the AME Maracanaú Project
• Participation in various traditional festivals and community and spiritual rituals (Toré, Pajelança and Cabana de Suar, for example)
• Offering of Christmas mass at the Monguba community, which included a distribution of toys to the local children

As you can see, 2014 was a busy, productive, and enriching year. MSMC focused on activities and projects that helped develop a sense of belonging to the community, valuing of one’s culture, and helping the youth get organized and dream big. Thank you for making this possible and we look forward to another year of great achievements with your continued support!

Links:

• Learn more about Izabela!