As we cycle around South America we’re raising money for ABC Trust, and whilst in Rio de Janeiro were lucky to visit one of their projects in the city’s largest favela, Rocinha.
We were met at the base of the favela, which houses 250,000 people, and taken up the steep hillside through rubbish-strewn, narrow alleyways until we reached a small building where two classes were underway.
“Children in state education are only able to attend school for half the day and this is where the ABC supported scheme assists” said Danielle, an American who has been teaching English to the students for two years.
Students attend the centre in the morning or afternoon, when they have no state school. As well as English, children of all ages have lessons in subjects that include IT and Maths.
The centre is run by the Union of Women for Betterment of Roupa Suja (UMPMR) a local non-governmental organisation that provides daycare as well as the after-school teaching. The project was set up by women inside the favela and now receives support from ABC to fund the after school programme.
The scale of the favela, like nothing I’ve seen before, was most apparent from the rooftop. The ramshackle huts and houses span out across the steep sided valley. The daily challenges include hygiene issues caused by so many people living in close proximity and water shortages and electricity. In fact the day before we visited a tree had fallen next to the centre and pulled down the electricity lines to half the building.
Speaking to Danielle and UMPMR’s Vice-President, Carminha, though we realised this interruption was no rare occurrence and classes were continuing as normal. The atmosphere in the centre was warm and fun, but with an emphasis on learning. The classes are free for children attending and therefore demand for places is high, as they give the children an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and its associated effects.
As we helped the students practice their English by quizzing them on their favourite football teams we were impressed by how much many had learnt in even the few months they had been attending the centre. It proved to use that projects like this do make a difference to children’s lives and futures and that is why we are very happy to be cycling for ABC Trust.
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