Sponsorship in Brazil
The Mineiros project began in March of 1995. It is the largest project in Brazil, and is the coordinating center serving more than 1,200 children and aging persons. The project works with four day-care centers to provide children with school fees, supplies and food during the day. It also works with a home for the elderly where aging persons can receive proper care, including three meals a day and health benefits.
Sponsorship enables the elderly to receive treatment and physical therapy from medical professionals, and payments for drugstore expenses among other benefits.
The Cipaúba project, which began in May 1996, provides education to children unable to afford tuition and school supplies. Aside from encouraging children to attend school, the project promotes parental involvement through school-sponsored festivals and meetings. Medicines are provided as needed.
About Brazil
Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, occupying almost half the continent. More people live in Brazil than all other South American countries combined. It is a country with a variety of landscapes – tropical rain forests (the world’s largest), mountains, dry plains, fertile farmland and white beaches. The interior of the country has not been developed because of its protected forests, rivers and mountains. Eighty percent of the people live within 200 miles of the Atlantic coast, with three-quarters of the people living in urban areas.
Brazil has rich natural resources and many industries. One-fifth of the world's coffee is produced in Brazil. Possessing large agricultural, mining, manufacturing and service sectors, Brazil’s economy outweighs all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. However, the majority of the population does not benefit from that prosperity.
The people
Family is the center of everyday life in Brazil. Many family circles extend beyond the traditional family to include aunts and uncles and in some cases even godparents.
People in Brazil are known for being very relaxed and diverse. Brazilian culture is unique because it is a blend of many diverse beliefs and values. Something as simple as a dance can contain elements of Portuguese, African and European culture.
Many of Brazil’s poor live in rural areas or overcrowded cities in shacks made of cardboard, metal or wood. Many relatives often live together in tiny one- or two-room homes made of red clay brick or adobe with red-clay tile roofs. Most neighborhoods have no sewers or running water.
In rural areas, especially in the north, unskilled laborers work long hours for low wages on large plantations and ranches. Jobs are hard to find and even harder to keep. In some families the children work instead of attending school to help cover family expenses.
Education
Brazilian education has improved over the years. Public education is mandatory for ages 7 to 14 and provided tuition-free by the government. The school year is divided into two semesters (February to June and August to December) in the Mineiros project. Children in the Cipaúba project attend school from February to November.
Though there is a well-developed university system, primary and secondary schools lack funding to effectively educate children. Teachers are poorly paid and school facilities are limited. Many children do not attend school because they work to help support their families, or their families cannot afford supplies and various school fees. In some remote areas, the government broadcasts daily lessons over the radio, or mobile schools offer teachers and books.
As educated adults become parents, they appreciate the importance of education and strive to create opportunities for their children.
Sources:
World Factbook
|
