Child Protection Brazil Project #17783

KIDS Support Groups in Brazil

by International Blue Cross

Project Report | Jul 28, 2015
"I Fell in Love"

By Mischa Rychener | Fundraising Officer

Dear supporters,

We are happy to share some news with you from Brazil, an update of the KIDS Support groups. In this report, we focus on the training of the group leaders, as working with children is a special discipline that requires proper understanding of childhood development and the relevant issues involved with substance abuse.

A social worker from Blue Cross Brazil told us the following about the behaviour of the children: “The behaviour after some meetings changes. They begin to smile more, play more, and speak more freely about their difficulties and families.”

Training is necessary to ensure that all leaders understand what type of behaviour to expect from children of dependents as well as the stages of childhood development and how to motivate the children to participate. Leaders must be able to clearly define issues related to the rights of the child, situations in which this right is violated and how leadership can act in the face of such violations.

Another KIDS Group leader told us “I didn’t use to like children. I started to frequent the Support Group for adults interested in getting to know and help people with real problems. I soon received the invitation to take the training of facilitator of KIDS, and there, even having gone against my will, I fell in love. I noticed that the pain of the co-dependent children was especially remarkable, so I decided not to get neglectful. And God has enlightened me miraculously, making the children get attached to me which motivated me even more to believe in this work.”

Working with children who often have feelings of shame, anger and isolation requires a special kind of person and we are grateful to all the volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring that these children have a place to turn to in their time of need. We are also grateful to all the supporters of this special project for their contributions!

Thank you

Mischa Rychener

Fundraising and Networking Officer

Links:

Blue Cross Brazil Facebook Page

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May 1, 2015
Photo Contest in Support of KIDS Groups in Brazil

By Mischa Rychener | Fundraising and Networking Officer

Apr 13, 2015
The Bubble Heart

By Madeleine Bolliger | Programme Manager

Jorge

In today’s report we would like to tell you the story of a boy, Jorge. His story is tied to a specific KIDS Support Group meeting. It will therefore be a wonderful occasion for us to familiarize you with the day to day work of these groups as they take place in the various churches and communities in Brazil. This particular gathering started with a story told by the motivator, Fabiane. This story is about a heart (made of foam or plush) that got hurt and covered itself with bubble plastic, but now it is in trouble because it can’t feel the people anymore, it can’t feel the bad things, but it can’t feel the people’s love either. At this moment the children can touch the heart that is wrapped in bubble plastic and tell their experiences. Importantly their own hearts need to know that they are not alone, that what had happened to them had happened to someone else too. During this gathering it was possible to notice the strength that some children used to tear off the bubble plastic as if they really wanted to tear away those bubbles from their own hearts. After this Fabiane prayed with the children, talked with them and went for a snack before closing the gathering with a song.

During the meeting one of the kids, 6 years old Jorge, told his story. Jorge said that he had six siblings and that his mother went away leaving him and his siblings with their father. He said he believed that “the heart” must have been rejected by the mother and that is why it was wrapped in plastic. He then wept. Jorge is still a beneficiary of Blue Cross KIDS support group, which is helping him to overcome his pain. It is for children like Jorge that we, at the Blue Cross Brazil, do our work. Day by day. There are so many kids suffering from the dependence of their parents. As organization we therefore want to multiply our KIDS groups and expand them to new Brazilian states. We can do this with your help and we appreciate your support - Thank you!

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