Training Youths to keep them out of the Drug Trade

Roda Viva acts in 3 major areas: community development, public education reinforcement and environmental education. In the area of community development there has been an increasingly effective participation of women, children and young people becoming involved in programs of educational support which has encouraged a great amount of progress. The community of women are focused around an activity called mothers’ school. This allows, with the support of a psychologists, debate over maternity and the woman’s roll in the family as well as in the actual society. Other activities include the sewing school, beauty parlor, and computer center. The main objective is to bring women closer to the project , and create a managing group where family is a central theme. In the area of environmental education, activities which combine the use and growth of money were emphasized. Two groups of women organized themselves autonomously one of which administrates the Centro da Cidadania da Praia do Limão (Citzenship Center of the Lemon’s Beach), in Magé. Recently around 100 new women have joined the ongoing process.

Roda Viva has recently reached its 19th year with a strong network of partners. The Conselho Consultivo (Consulting Council) continues to maintain a great responsibility of effectively participating, accompanying and monitoring the actions of the project while also appropriately applying the resources received by Roda Viva.

Recently the project has received very appreciated donations of books and toys for the library and children’s center which have drastically increased those two areas involvement. Clothing and shoes were also contributed to the projects community market but the current need of Roda Viva now consist of supplies and food. The sewing school is in need of cloth, fasteners, buttons, needles and thread. The computer center is in need of more computers and computer parts and the continuing need of non perishable food to feed 600 children and young people daily continues as well.

One recent successful story is of girl from the project who was very involved in the Community Sports Center. After a tragic accident the young girl became permanently physically disabled. The courage of this girl however has lead her to not give up and to continue her activities in sports in the areas that she is able to. She has continued this struggle and is now engaging in a few different competitions.