Students of the Grota String Orchestra celebrate graduation in Music

BrazilFoundation witnessed another achievement on the part of Grota String Orchestra: six young students of the Orchestra graduated in Music at the end of 2011. The students celebrated their success with parents, teachers, and friends. Some are moving on to the University to continue studying Music and others are preparing to pass the University entrance exam. After the ceremony, the six graduates made a presentation along with their classmates, conducted by Marcio Selles, which enchanted the audience.

The Grota String Orchestra is a project of the Grota Cultural Space, which aims to promote citizenship through cultural and educational activities, such as academic tutoring and string instrument lessons. Since its creation, the organization has served over 750 youths, and currently serves 250 youths that live in the Favela da Grota and neighboring communities in Niteroi. The organization was supported by BrazilFoundation in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2011, and serves as an example that simple initiatives can be great successes once they receive the necessary support.

Casa de Santa Ana (Saint Ann’s Home): Intergenerational Integration

Based in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) neighborhood, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, Casa de Santa Ana works with an average of 150 elders, as well as children, youth and their families. The organization works to improve the quality of life for the elderly and their relationship with their families. The Casa de Santa Ana chorus, the “Vozes da Cidade de Deus” (Voices of the City of God) which includes participants from three generations of the community has participated in events with other choirs visiting Brazil from countries such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand.

 

Instituto de Incentivo à Criança e ao Adolescente de Mogi Mirim (Institute to Incentive the Child and Youth of Mogi Mirim): Training the youth through art education

Tarcisia Mazon along with her mother founded ICA in 1997 to work with children from low income communities of Mogi Mirim.  ICA’s work, which began with after school tutoring in its first year, was strengthened with the use of art as a tool for education.

The pioneering methodology they developed became a best practice in art education, earning the respect and recognition of the community. Nowadays, the center multiplies its methodologies to two well-regarded social welfare centers, three local schools and other organizations.

 

Grupo Sociocultural e Ambiental Cem Modos (One hundred Ways Social-Cultural and Environmental Group) -Rescuing the traditions of Maroon settlements for social development

Raimundo Muniz, founder of Grupo Cem Modos, tells the story of how the organization began 26 years ago in the town of Santa Rita, in the state of Maranhão. The Groupworks with Maroon communities, rescuing the cultural knowledge of their ancestors and encouraging the cultivation of medicinal plants and food consumption returned to the community. In addition, performs work that involves local schools and youth in rural areas and quilombos. The goal is to develop the community and stimulate local development.

 

THYDEWÁ: The use of new communication technologies to promote knowledge and respect towards the Brazilian indigenous populations

THYDEWÁ seeks to promote knowledge and respect for the indigenous population by encouraging intercultural dialogue. Through the use of new communication technologies, the organization fights for the rights and the cultural preservation of the first inhabitants of Brazil.

Espaço Cultural da Grota (Grota Cultural Space): Promoting the access to culture, art and education

Grota Cultural Space, located in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, promotes culture, art and education with cultural activities, musical training and after school tutoring to the local youth. Classes in musical initiation, music theory, computer science, English and fine arts are offered daily. The space has become a place for community interaction.

 

Associação Lua Nova (New Moon Association): Strengthening the relationship between mother and child

Raquel Barros explains how the Association was established to give support to at risk pregnant teens. She explains how the services offered by the organization – housing, food, medical support, psychological and educational activities – are essential to strengthening the ties between mother and child.

 

Association for Rural Development and Community of Lagoa da Boa Vista – Integration Between School and Community

In the small community of Lagoa da Boa Vista, city of Seabra, Bahia, Eurly and the Community Association set out to create a cultural program for children and adolescents who had no access to culture or leisure, through integration between the school and the local community. The improved performance of pupils and the use of the school as a place of culture and socialization are some results of this work.

Center for Alternative Agriculture Vicente Nica – Support Local Farmers and Their Families

Boaventura Soares of the Center for Alternative Agriculture Vicente Nica – CAV, tells about the activities of CAV in the town of Turmalina, located in inner Minas Gerais. The organization supports local farmers and their families, building and disseminating alternative technologies to harmonize the relationship between them and the natural resources used in the day-to-day life in the communities.

BrazilFoundation present the stories of 20 grantee institutions in 2011

Follow the stories told by the managers of organizations supported in 2011, as part of Project BrazilFoundation 10 years, which portray the reality of different parts of Brazil, people who can face adversity experienced by their communities and strive to overcome them.

The stories will be told every Monday at Blog BrazilFoundation 10 Anos.

In the first interview, Analia Timbo Vidança tells about the work at Vidança and how the work of this organization can transform the lives of children, adolescents and young people – and their families – in Vila Velha, Ceará.