The Desembole Arca Rugby project is Arca's new initiative. The name is derived from the verb "desembolar," which means remove obstacles, and "make it happen". In July 2023, 17 teenagers and 2 teachers from the Vila Prudente favela (SP) will travel to France for a once in a lifetime three-week trip to play rugby ahead of the France Rugby World Cup, and be part of a cultural immersion program to commemorate ten years of collaboration between Arca and the PAC rugby club.Help us cover the last mile!
Arca has been working for more than 20 years to implement life projects that appear out of reach for young people in the favela who face constraints and social barriers. Access to activities such as sports, arts, and foreign languages is crucial for the children of Arca in order to break down the walls of the favela and develop self-confidence for the future and a positive self-image. The Desembole Arca Rugby project is a "dream come true" for the teenagers of Arca and their families.
We believe that the path to a better future goes through education. Arca offers to children and youths growing in the favela of Vila Prudente the opportunity to access sports, arts, educational and vocational programs. This unique experience in France, combining rugby and French culture, can help broaden horizons, unlock potential and change life trajectories as Wender's life. The group of teenagers is taking extra French classes, practice rugby on a weekly basis, and prepare a capoeira show.
For the first time, Arca is organising a summer camp and a trip abroad for a group of teenagers. The Vila Prudente favela community is very excited about it and many meetings with the families are being held to explain the details of the trip (accommodation, activities, etc).The younger children of Arca are dreaming that one day it may be their turn. We're already seeing the strong impact of this project on the motivation of Arca's 130 beneficiaries to study and play sports.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
