Assentamento São Paulo

Assentamento São Paulo

Cultural activities and academic support for children in Canindé

Canindé, a municipality of 74,000 people in the interior of Ceará, has low literacy rates and few high schools, both of which contribute to the poor health and low education indicators in the region.

In 2010, a group of eight youths from the São Paulo settlement received an incentive award from BrazilFoundation  to engage in a cultural exchange with the other organizations also receiving support over a two year period. Workshops were developed to teach dance, drama and study skills for 50 children living in the settlement. In 2014, the group overseeing the project in the settlement will continue these activities, while also renovating the project headquarters for the well-being and safety of the beneficiaries.

With support from BrazilFoundation, the project will provide:

• Tutoring for 50 children and youth;
• Dance and theater activities that involve the entire community;
• Sewing workshops run by the women in the region;
• Renovations to headquarters to host activities.

“We teach contemporary dance in a way that makes every student feel good and proud.” -Francisco Santiago, 17 years old, project manager