Brazil Vila Nova

The objective of AFAGO/DF is to promote the integral development of children and adolescents in situations of social vulnerability in the age group from 6 to 14 years, with mainly socio-educational activities, as well as food and social support for families.

DEFINITION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONTEXT

Brazil’s GDP has grown in recent years has grown in recent years, driven by private consumption, still supported by a strong labour market, social benefits, and an export-friendly external environment. Poverty also declined in 2023, driven by better economic conditions and social protection policies. However, the Human Development Index (HDI) remains below pre-pandemic levels, and the country’s position has worsened, falling from 87th place in 2021 to 89th. The main reason is deep economic and social inequality: racial and gender discrimination persists as a systemic barrier that limits the opportunities of many individuals and families to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Afro-Brazilians and indigenous people have in particular, less access to good-quality schools and health services than whites, and women face job discrimination that limits their earning potential. As far as education is concerned, according to UNICEF, in 2020 more than 5 million girls and boys aged 6-17 did not have access to education in Brazil; of these, more than 40% were children aged 6 to 10. Even in the federal capital of the country, Brasilia, there is a strong socio-economic inequality: even though the per capita income is high (1,727 reais) – given the significant participation of the public administration in the local economy – many areas show poverty and social risk rates among the highest in the country, especially for childhood and adolescence. This inequality is found not only between urban and rural areas, but also within the city itself, as inadequately planned urbanization has led to the proliferation of precarious housing and poor accessibility to basic education and health services.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world in terms of land area. Therefore, despite being the seventh most populous country in the world, with its 220 million inhabitants, its population density is low: most Brazilians are concentrated along the coast, while the hinterland is relatively sparsely inhabited, mainly due to the presence of the Amazon rainforest. It is characterized by a multi-ethnic society, formed by the descendants of Europeans, indigenous, Africans and Asians. 50% of the population belongs to the middle class, 40% to the poor class, and the remaining 10% are rich or millionaires. The Central-West region, known for being landlocked, is one of the largest agricultural producers and the largest cattle rancher in Brazil. It has a population of about 16 million inhabitants. The Federal District of Brasilia is one of the federal states in the region, has an average low-income population and has Brasilia as its capital. Named the federal capital in 1960 to promote the development of the country’s inland areas, Brasilia has about 2.8 million inhabitants. About 42 km from the city, there is Brazlândia, where, in an agricultural colony of 6,000 inhabitants called INCRA 8, the project is located.

COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT

The project is carried out at the AFAGO/DF social center, and includes: 4 classrooms for carrying out activities, a canteen, a fully equipped kitchen, a library, 2 bathrooms, an outdoor recreation area, a warehouse and an administrative office.

The permanent staff of the project is composed of 3 people, namely: 1 administrative manager, 1 social worker, 1 pedagogical assistant; in addition to these, there are other human resources employed on a fixed-term basis, such as 2 educators, 1 cleaner, 1 gardener/handyman and volunteers.

ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES IMPLEMENTED

• Twice-weekly socio-educational workshops on citizenship and human rights for 80 children and adolescents (6-14 years old)

• Twice-weekly distribution of snacks to minors

• Social accompaniment for 67 families including home visits

• Training meetings on rights and self-care, every two months, for 67 families

• Weekly pedagogical meeting on learning values such as peace, universal brotherhood and reciprocity for 85 children and adolescents

• Distribution of monthly food parcels to 40 families

• Celebration of festivals and memorial events with the community

BENEFICIARIES

The direct beneficiaries are about 85 children between the ages of 6 and 14 in conditions of vulnerability and social risk, and with a low level of schooling;

in addition to these, there are about 67 families.
The indirect beneficiaries are about 155 people from the community. I beneficiari indiretti sono circa 155 persone della comunità.

ACTIONS

• Support at a Distance

It is an ongoing commitment to support an educational, social and nutritional program aimed entirely at the individual minor and his family, both of which are part of the AFN project.

• Support for the project

It is an ongoing commitment to support an educational, social and nutritional program aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.

• Donations

These are free payments and amounts, in support of an educational, social and nutritional program aimed at the entire group of minors and their families who are part of the AFN project.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Distance support for a child. Contact the coordinators in your country for confirmation of the annual amount and payment details.

Reason for payment: “New long-distance support for Vila Nova, Brazil” and, for subsequent payments, “renewal of long-distance support for Vila Nova, Brazil”.

• Contact the coordinators in your country for confirmation of the annual amount and payment details.

Reason for payment: ‘New support for the Brazil Vila Nova project’ and, for subsequent payments, ‘renewal of support for the Brazil Vila Nova project’.

• Donations – Reason for payment: “Donation for the Vila Nova project in Brazil”