Project:
Escola Nossa Senhora das Gracas (Our Lady of Grace School), ECS/Youth/Adult Education
Centre
Location: Saramandaia in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Project
Overview: To purchase a community initiated preschool to remove the burden
of rent and redirect meager local funds to the program, resulting in widening
and enhancing the program for children and community. Download
recent project report now! Community
Description: Saramandaia is a very poor district with low means of living,
little education, and poor housing. Mothers and fathers try to find menial jobs
to eke a living, and with many families broken, the mothers worry about feeding
the children. They live in poorly constructed houses in congested neighborhoods
and are faced regularly with a lack of security and their homes falling apart.
Project
Description: In 1995, leaders in this community initiated a preschool program
in a rented facility to enable children access to early education and the founding
of Our Lady of Grace School. A beehive of volunteer energy has evolved serving
over 90 children on a regular basis. In addition, the centre provides literacy
and human development programs for adolescents and adults. A big problem is the
rent for the facility, $12,000 Brazilian reals a year $7,000 Can) and subject
to continuing increases. Small local donations barely keep up with the rent, leaving
little for basic supplies, food and operating costs. Purchasing the school removed
the burden of rent and redirect meager local funds to the program, resulting in
widening and enhancing the program for children and community. The
Facility: The building is the current home of the program which served the
people and program well. The size of the facility is 310.6 m2 and the property
including a small garden to grow food is 284.6 m2. The facility is 3 stories,
very solid, consisting of a reception area, a little chapel, 5 small classrooms,
4 bathrooms, a kitchen, and a small garden and play area. Purposes
and Objectives:
- To
engage professional teachers and volunteer assistants in serving the community.
- To
provide a pre-school education, social/ethical formation, and daily nutrition
- a secure environment and holistic program of child development to enable disadvantaged
children to grow in body and mental health, improving their cognitive development
and capacity to learn.
- To
provide literacy classes for adolescents who have dropped out of schools.
-
To provide literacy classes for adults, as well as basic education, sewing, cooking,
and crafts.
- To
provide income generation courses to improve employment opportunities.
-
To promote volunteerism enabling people to support each other in solving problems.
- To
promote valorization (the value) of aged people.
-
To improve norms, guidance, and evaluation by professional teachers in the community.
Planning:
The planning has taken place by Analice Falcao Pereira and other community leaders,
especially Maria Anade, Facao Pereira, with Frances Stang serving as advisory
counsel. She has spent 30 years helping the people in Brazil improve their lives. Purchase
Cost of the Facility: 110,000 Brazilian Reals (about $60,000 Canadian funds).
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