Traditional aid fails favelas; it perpetuates dependency. Social Brasilis transforms dependency into proactivity by empowering youth. We teach social entrepreneurship theory and practice, allowing students to create community projects based in their interests. Our methodology is unique. We invite local entrepreneurs to teach, connect students with similar interests, and supplement learning with an online platform. Our project targets the Pirumbi favela in Fortaleza, with 17,775 citizens.
In Brazil, 16% of people lives in favelas where 70% of all murders happen. Most victims are poor, black youths. While social programs exist, they fail to fundamentally change people's behavior. Students don't realize that they can make change and how to make change. While education could provide this knowledge, resources and nuanced curricula are lacking. Computers are ancient. Roofs are falling in. Pedagogical material is missing. Without materials, imagining a different reality is hard.
To break the cycle of poverty, we marry education and community action. We teach favela youth social entrepreneurship using a student-centered methodology. Student interests become community projects. Our platform supplements in-class learning and connects similarly interested students. Local entrepreneurs are mentors. Students 1)recognize alternative life paths exist 2)imagine their passion as societal good 3) use technology, connection, and mentorship to carry out those community projects.
We envision a world where the poor are equipped with the tools to escape the cycles of poverty. We believe that education should enable people to understand that alternative life choices exist. We provide youth the tools to create that reality. We will create a youth that is creative, socially minded, and empowered to take hold of their community situation. Our methodology is scalable and a model for poor community transformation in Brazil and the world.
