Yes to Life! Help Vulnerable Kids Stay Drug-Free

Hello supporters! We hope your year has been off to a great start. We know there is a lot of chaos in the world right now, so we hope to share how your donations are making a positive difference in the world, in the lives of the children of the Yes to Life project.

 To highlight a few events that have occurred in the past few months, which your donations made possible: 

• November 20^th is a national holiday in Brazil, called the National Day of Zumbi and Black Consciousness, to celebrate African contributions to Brazil’s culture and history and to reflect on the progress that still needs to be made to address racism and racial disparities. Zumbi was an enslaved African who lived in Brazil in the 1600s, and he was one of the founders of one of the most well-known quilombos, or free societies created by enslaved people who had run away from their enslavers. To celebrate this holiday with the children of the Yes to Life project, we did a variety of activities. We even were visited by an African priest, who shared various aspects of his culture with the children.

• In December, we celebrated the Christmas spirit! We did lots of art projects and gave away toys and new clothes. What was most special to the kids is that they were invited to do a performance for the community, which they fully embraced.

• January has been all about nature and music! We’ve done lots of activities to help the kids get connected to nature. We’re also thrilled to announce that we hired a music teacher, Felipe, who has begun teaching the kids how to play the recorder on Saturday mornings. We’re also working to expand our offerings to the parents and caregivers of the kids to create greater community change.

These are just a few highlights of what happened during these past few months. Your donations really are making a difference in the lives of the 50 children we currently serve. Yes to Life provides a safe place for kids to learn and to just be kids, escaping the violence and instability that surrounds them otherwise.

In the words of Lays, whose daughter Thales is a Yes to Life program participant: I want Yes to Life to be where [my daughter] grows up, because I know that she’s safe there while I work.

In the words of Cristiana, who volunteers with Yes to Life and whose son Nilton is a program participant: My son is so happy when he gets home [from the program] that I decided to come too and do some type of volunteer work and participate in the activities.

We’re changing whole families with your support.

Muito obrigada,

Natasha (Development Volunteer)

Mitakuye Oyasin
Îandé Memé Maranongara
Somos Todos Parentes
We Are All Related