Education Brazil Project #67416

Sports & Education for Children Affected by Floods

by Foco Empreendedor

Project Report | Oct 10, 2026
A Place to Play, Connect, and Feel Supported

By Maria Actis | Project Leader

Helping Children Find Stability Through Sport

Our “Sports and Education for Children Affected by Floods” project is currently underway at EMEF Guido Herbert, a public school affected by flooding in southern Brazil. Through sports and educational activities, we are supporting children whose daily lives continue to be disrupted by heavy rainfall and the uncertainty it brings.

In recent months, our city and the surrounding region have continued to experience periods of intense rain. Some of the children participating in the project face recurring situations in which their families must temporarily leave their homes. For these children, recovery extends beyond repairing buildings and replacing belongings: it also means finding reassurance, rebuilding routines, and maintaining connections with people they trust.

In this context, the project provides an important source of emotional support. Shared activities offer opportunities for children to play, learn, interact with their peers, and experience moments of joy amid uncertainty. By bringing sport and education into their school environment, we aim to strengthen their sense of belonging and provide a supportive setting where they can participate, connect, and develop confidence. This ongoing support matters because the challenges these families face have continued beyond the initial floods.

Our priority is to continue supporting the children at EMEF Guido Herbert (and in another cities) as they navigate these recurring disruptions. Thank you for standing alongside this community. Your support helps sustain opportunities for learning, connection, and emotional well-being for children whose recovery is still unfolding.

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Jun 16, 2026
UPDATE: Socio-emotional rescue

By Maria Actis | Project Leader

Thanks to the emergency relief resources provided to support the victims of the devastating floods in Brazil, we were able to respond immediately to the urgent needs of affected communities. After supporting the cities of Juiz de Fora and Rio Bonito with thousands of kilograms of food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and other essential items, we continued our commitment to children and families through long-term recovery actions.

One of the main initiatives made possible through this support has been our socio-emotional recovery program through sports. Designed to help children rebuild confidence, strengthen social connections, and regain a sense of normalcy after the disaster, the program has been running continuously since March 2026.

Our first group was launched in the community of Monte Alverne, serving 33 children and adolescents. In addition to the regular sports activities, educational and motivational talks were organized for the entire school community, reaching more than 120 children and creating a broader positive impact beyond the program participants.

In May, we launched a second group in Linha Pinhal Santo Antônio, located in Sinimbu city. This new group currently serves 21 children and adolescents. The community is located in a remote rural area that was significantly affected by the floods and has limited access to educational, recreational, and developmental opportunities. Through regular sports activities and socio-emotional support, we are helping these young people rebuild resilience, strengthen their well-being, and reconnect with their community.

The transition from emergency relief to long-term community recovery demonstrates the lasting impact of the resources entrusted to us. While the immediate humanitarian response addressed urgent needs, these ongoing programs are helping children and families move forward, recover emotionally, and build a stronger future.

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Apr 13, 2026
UPDATE, april 2026.

By Maria Actis | Project Leader

Following the success achieved in 2025, we made the decision to continue and expand our Sport and Education program throughout 2026. The results observed last year were deeply meaningful and reinforced the importance of sustaining this initiative.

Through consistent engagement in sports and educational activities, children demonstrated significant behavioral improvements, stronger emotional regulation, and noticeable growth in self-esteem. For many of them, this program became more than just an activity, it became a safe space, a place where they could rebuild confidence, reconnect with peers, and begin to process the difficult experiences caused by the floods.

In 2026, we are currently operating with two active groups, each composed of 30 children, in regions of extreme social vulnerability. These communities face not only the aftermath of environmental disasters, but also a persistent lack of access to structured activities, emotional support, and developmental opportunities.

One group is based in Monte Alverne (Santa Cruz do Sul)
The second group will begin in the coming weeks in Linha Pinhal Santo Antônio (Sinimbu)

Additionally, a third group is planned for the second semester of 2026 in Sinimbu, aiming to expand our reach and support even more children impacted by these circumstances.

In these regions, the consequences of the floods are still very present. Beyond material losses, there are lasting emotional and psychological effects. Each new climate event in Brazil revives uncertainty and fear, and children are often the most affected. They live with the anxiety of not knowing what might happen next, carrying feelings they do not always have the tools to express or manage.

Our program seeks to address this reality by offering not only sports practice, but also structure, emotional support, and a sense of belonging. Through play, teamwork, and mentorship, we help children regain confidence, build resilience, and experience moments of joy and normalcy in their daily lives.

We remain committed to creating safe and supportive environments where children can grow, learn, and heal, one session at a time.

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