KIDS Support Groups in Brazil

This report refers to activities from May to July 2023. In recent months we have been engaged in training for new leaders, visits to groups and presentation meetings for the Kids and Teens Support Group project. Furthermore, we participated in two events in Chapada dos Guimarães/Mato Grosso, to address issues related to indigenous people. We participated in the Indigenous Forum and the Congress of the National Council of Pastors and Indigenous Evangelical Leaders.

We are finding new ways to ensure that nobody is left behind without good understanding that alcohol is a harmful, addictive product. There are many myths and customs related to alcohol use cross different cultures. Behaviour change takes time and needs family centrered approach where the whole community can talk about problems that are caused by alcohol. It has been a great learning journey to start this discussion within indigenous communities. Many violent situations and accidents can be avoided when communities get greater commitment to reduce alcohol consumption. Harder part is to start steps of recovery and forgiveness for things that have happened in the past due to alcohol use. Blue Cross in Brazil is seeking to reach youth and their families at indigenous communities in order to create positive health promoting behavious. At mutual help groups many people discuss the topic often first time in their life. It is opportunity that needs to be facilitated by skilled group leaders. It is hard to reach anybody who needs support with recovery and at these communities it is great to see willingness to seek solutions to alcohol related problems. This is why on-going training and support is so important to the work of Blue Cross Brazil. Your support makes this work possible. Thank you for your generosity!