Oxfam in Brazil - Street kids
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Street kids in Recife |
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Photo: Daniel Berinson/Oxfam
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Brazil has approximately seven million children working and living
on the streets of its cities. Often, they have families living in
the same city, but poverty makes conditions at home so awful that
the streets seem a better option. The children are prey to many
threats; violence, abuse, drugs, crime and murder. Oxfam funds the
National Movement of Street Boys and Girls, (MNMMR). They campaign
for and with street kids, helping them to learn skills with which
they can earn a living, and also train teachers.
Regiane Guedes trained with MNMMR and works for ‘Ruas
e Praças', (Streets and Squares). She supports street kids
who have returned to their families. She says, " I feel very
satisfied with my work, especially when you see the way the children
progress, you see the families grow and change."
‘Ruas e Praças’ has a base in the countryside.
Children get away from the dangers of street life, learn new skills,
and go to school. They take responsibility for their own possessions,
clothes, and hygiene, all alien concepts to kids who may have been
living on the streets since they were only five years old.
Rodrigo Pereira Da Silva has spent some time there. He is 15 years
old but looks only 12 as he is very malnourished. He has a very
common ambition; "I want to be a football player. Every Saturday
we play with children from school. It’s good here. I study.
I work. I eat. I play."
Rosalind Rodrigues Dantas works with the children. She told us,
"Some children – you can see it the moment they step on
the ground here – they become children again. They feel free.
They feel good."
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