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The Hope and Life Centre is in the state of Pernambuco, one of the regions which was badly affected by the June floods in north-east Brazil.  We are currently running an appeal to help our partners in supporting all those in their community who have suffered from the flooding.  Donate now >>

Our partner tells us that while all at the centre were safe, whole villages south of Recife have been washed away, bridges and roads are down and there have been many deaths.  For more information on the extent of the flooding, take a look at this article in the Guardian >>
"Brazil floods kill dozens and leave 1,000 people homeless. Torrential rain devastates towns and cities in Brazil's north-east, leaving as many as 97,000 people homeless..."

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The centre provides a sanctuary for hundreds of vulnerable children in the favela each year. They attend workshops in arts and crafts, IT training and employment coaching. The children come before and after school, have a hot meal and receive all round care. There is a psychologist on site who works with the children and also reaches out to the mothers in the area to offer them advice, give them support and enable them to have a positive influence on their children.

 

Jubilee Action has funded the Hope and Life Centre since 2004 when it was in danger of being sold, and have since financially supported the centre and aided its development and paying of salaries for staff. In 2007 the main building was refurbished to create a more attractive, hospitable and receptive area for the children and families.

 
During 2009, there were over 1,000 children and adolescents who attended the Hope and Life Centre with 247 children attending the different workshops provided.

The majority of the children and youths were also able to make good use of the Internet Centre. Many children and mothers attended the Tele-centre and received diplomas.

 

"I want to be an assassin when I grow up".

At age 6, Gabriela is a timid girl, loveable but with a sorrowful expression, who loves to play and draw.  But when asked what she would like to do when she is older, her one aim is to become a professional killer.  What can make an innocent child aspire to such evil?

Gabriela lives in the Santo Amaro favela.  She is the youngest of seven children from an unhappy home.  Her mother was abused as a child, leaving home at the age of 9, then having her first child at the age of 13.  Her stepfather is an alcoholic.  One of her brothers became a murderer at the age of 11 and is now in prison.  Four of her siblings are drug addicts.

Gabriela doesn't like violence, but nor does she like the police.  When she first came to the Hope and Life Centre, she said in a loud voice: "When I grow up I am going to kill Rita [a policewoman]... When I grow up, she will be slapped in the face and then will be killed.  I am so angry with her."

Her only experience of police has been standing witness to their arrogance and abuse of power.  When Rita is on duty she rounds up all the women in "suspect" groups, parades them in front of the community and slaps them in the face.  She tells the children that when they grow up, this is what will happen to them and continues to slap the women's faces.

Gabriela finds herself impotent against the police; the power that should protect her instead terrifies and revolts her.

After spending time at the Hope and Life Centre, receiving careful attention and psychosocial therapy, Gabriela no longer shows this anger and hate.  She no longer wants to be an assassin, but loves painting and art classes and hopes to be an artist or jewellery maker when she grows up.

 

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