Education Brazil Project #55116

Good Education for 3,000 Brazilian Kids post Covid

by ASSOCIACAO DE APOIO A CRIANCA EM RISCO - ACER BRASIL

Project Report | Nov 20, 2024
The children speak about the project

By Jonathan Hannay | Project Leader

We are now coming to the end of the school year once more and I would like to share what some of the children who have been the beneficiaries of the project since the beginning of this school year have told us (their names have been changed to protect their privacy).

Mara, a 4th year student says “I really like the ACER activities; the stories are very funny, and the staff tell them in a really cool way. My favourite activity is the one where they use objects to tell the story and then we do stamping activities afterwards. Once, they read a book, and I asked my mum to buy it because I thought the story was so good, then I read it with her at home.”

When asked about what he thought of the teenagers who deliver the activities (always a boy and a girl), Jefferson, a year 5 student had this to say“They're really awesome! They always play, chat, and bring really fun stories. I think what they do is really cool. When I grow up, I want to do that too—work by playing and telling stories.” It is really inspiring to see this kind of comment because it really does happen, some of our teenagers delivering the programme have told us about how they were beneficiaries of the project in elementary school.

When asked about what activities they most like, Leonardo, a year 3 student told us “It’s great when they arrive just as the teacher is giving us schoolwork because we stop the teacher’s activity to do ACER instead. I really like the stories from Africa, because even though they’re from another place, the things they talk about are very similar to what we experience here.” Julia from year 1 says “I love the puppet theatre! The puppets are so funny and entertaining. I also really enjoy the origami activities we do. One time, they taught us how to make a flower, and I gave it to my mum. She was so happy.” And when she was asked about how she feels about the project she exclained “I love it so much! When I see the staff, I already ask if there’s going to be an activity in my class, and then I go around telling everyone in my class so we can behave and listen to the story and have fun during the activity.”

We would like to tahnk you for your continued support through this year and I hope that you have got a feel for how much it means to the children who have been receiving the project twice a month in their schools all through the academic year.

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Jul 24, 2024
Participating in a National Seminar

By Samira Santos | Youth Leader

July has been a very special month for some of the youth participants in the project. They were invited to present their project at a national seminar focussed on youth participation and Samira the youth leader went to Salvador in the State of Bahia with two of the teenagers, Rikelme and Marianna where in addition to giving a 20 minute presentation on a panel, they also took part in a workshop with young people from all over the country discussing what their priorities are for promoting change. Following is Samira's report:

During the seminar "Stick with us - Dialogues on the protagonism and participation of children and adolescents in Brazil", held in Salvador, Bahia, ACER Brasil's participation with the project "Stories Transforming the Future" was marked by in-depth discussions about youth protagonism. Young representatives from ACER Brasil shared their personal experiences and explored the positive impacts of the project's initiatives on their lives and communities. Marianna highlighted the experience as unique and unforgettable, emphasizing that the project goes beyond encouraging reading, encompassing culture, development and socialization of children. She expressed her satisfaction in sharing her experiences with other young people and participating institutions.

Rikelme, when asked about the feedback received after the presentation, reported that all participants expressed admiration for the project. He highlighted that many praised the importance of reading and cultural integration for children, aspects that are often underestimated. Rikelme also mentioned the interest of those present in implementing similar initiatives in their own organizations, demonstrating the inspiring impact of the project.

Both teenagers emphasized the project's youthful protagonism during discussions on the topic "After all, what is this protagonism?". They highlighted that the project was designed and is led by teenagers, providing them with autonomy and personal and professional development. This aspect not only empowers the young people involved, but also prepares them for future challenges, introducing them early into the job market and strengthening their role as agents of change in their communities.

This participation in the seminar strengthened ACER Brasil's commitment to continue improving its initiatives, contributing to a more complete and inclusive development of the children and adolescents served.

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Apr 1, 2024
Presenting Samira

By Jonathan Hannay | Project Leader

The current supervisor of the Reading in Schools project, Samira dos Santos, shares her journey to become the project's leader, since she crossed paths with ACER Brasil in 2015. She guides and accompanies the young reading mediators in municipal schools in Diadema, doing reading activities, storytelling and puppet theatre performances. She reveals more details about her journey at ACER in an interview:

- What is your history with ACER and the Reading in Schools project? How did you achieve your current position?

“I discovered ACER in 2015, as I started Guitar classes and one day, they announced the selection process for reading mediators. In 2017, I started as a mediator and at the end of the year I was invited to continue the following year as an administrative assistant. And in 2019 they called me to become a receptionist, however, as recommended by ACER, I managed to pass the selection process as a young apprentice at Cultura Inglesa (an English as a foreign language school). In 2022, I applied again to ACER, but now as an educational advisor, the role I still hold today.”

- What has changed in you, professionally and personally?

“At ACER I had my first job experience and where I had the opportunity to work in different areas, in addition to adding professional experience and learning, I had the personal fulfillment of being financially independent.”

- Has your work changed your life plans? If so, what changed, did you evolve, what aspects did you notice that changed the most?

“I was very insecure when it came to coordinating a team, ACER helped me a lot with this, as first I went through the training process as a mediator and later I passed on my learning to teenagers.”

- What are your plans for the project this year?

“I intend to further improve the quality of the work, taking into account what I had in previous years, in addition to looking for new things to further help the learning process of teenagers.”

- What are your roles as a supervisor of the young people?

“Create a link with the schools served, organizing and planning services and timetables. Plan training to train young people, accompany them during services and schedule educational visits.”

- What part of your job do you most enjoy doing?

“I really enjoy being part of the learning process and introducing young people to the world of work. As a mediator, I saw the difference that the Project had for the children. As a supervisor, I see the importance that ACER gives to young people and how much of a difference it makes.”

- What is the relationship like with mediators?

“Very good! Nowadays, I see them differently, I've always heard a lot that teenagers are irresponsible and I don't see them like that, I believe they are in a learning process and it's normal to make mistakes, but they also have great potential, they just need someone that believes in them and gives them opportunities.”

Thank you for you support which helps us support local young people to develop their potential and achieve new goals in their lives.

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