More Childhood

Location: 

Cidade Olimpica neighbourhood (65,000 residents), City of São Luis, capital of the State of Maranhão, Brazil

Context and objectives:
In the Cidade Olimpica neighbourhood on the outskirts of São Luis, 50% of the population is under 20. Schools only operate three or four hours a day, and among children, 30% of boys and 14% of girls are working. Only 2% of adolescents have appropriate educational levels for their ages. Unemployment and the breakdown of the family are very common. Based on these observations, the project that Essor and its partner GACC-MA have implemented combines psychosocial support for families with specific socialization actions for children and adolescents.

Actions:
To contribute to improving social bonds, family skills and child care in social risk situations
- Mobilization of community associations and leaders and municipal public school teachers; training of teams of educators
- Information sessions with parents about existing socio-educational programs in the neighbourhood and the city
- The organization of events (civic responsibility rally, theatre, competitions, etc.) 

To encourage the social and educational integration of 180 children and 150 adolescents 
- Half-day sessions of socio-educational activities
- Raising awareness about the importance of education and reinforcing school attendance in collaboration with schools
- Reading workshops, development of stories based on the experience of children and adolescents, encouragement of verbal and dramatic/theatrical expression and sports
- Reinforcement of the sense of belonging: conducting studies in the community, discovery of local history, stories and legends
- Craft and artistic workshops promoting talents and emotional expression while reinforcing self-confidence (mosaics, painting, pottery, etc.)

To intensify the struggle against domestic violence and sexual violence against children
- Monthly workshops in partnership with schools based on interactive pedagogy; reflection on and acquisition of knowledge about the following themes: construction of identity, gender relations and sexuality, the origin and management of violence, drugs and freedom, careers, “my community” and civic responsibilities.
- Training of 40 leaders on those themes.
- Theatre workshops on the theme of the “Culture of Peace”.

Direct beneficiaries: 180 children and 150 adolescents

Partners:
- the local NGO GACC-MA, FUNCAS and Cidade Olimpica schools,
- in France, the Véolia Environment Foundation and Chemin d’écoles support the project. Numerous private donors (friends of Essor and our greeting card action) also contribute.