KIDS Support Groups in Brazil

Dear friends and supporters,

2015 was an exciting year for the KIDS Support groups project in Southern Brazil. Blue Cross Brazil was able to hold seven training sessions for group leaders and they started five new groups in the region. One exciting new development was the inclusion of some missionaries from the New Tribes of Brazil in the “Reserva Guarita,” who are working with the Kiangang Indian tribes. Alcohol abuse is a big concern among this group and Blue Cross Brazil is developing new programs to target this population.

Two prevention activities were carried out in Nonoai Reserve, with indigenous ethnic Kaingang. The first was in July, where the coordinator of the KIDS Groups in Southern Brazil, Icarus, held a talk about prevention in a local school. On this occasion, the tribe requested Blue Cross Brail to carry out additional awareness events in the indigenous area. As a result, in November, the coordinator and the whole Blue Cross Prevention team of Blue Cross Brazil carried out some additional activities in the same reservation with younger students and parents in cooperation with the Mission Suzane do Valle, the New Tribes Mission in Brazil that has been operating for 37 years.

One mother who attends self-help groups and has a young daughter told us: “I really want to be able to bring my daughter back to the KIDS Groups. Shortly before my relapse, I left to come to the group. When I called her (my daughter) every time, I complained of a headache and stomach pain. She thought it was strange. But now I realize that she saw that I was not well and at risk for relapse. I know she needs help from the KIDS Groups too because it is the only place where she can play and feel safe.”  Edervã - resident Panambi

It is important for children whose parents are suffering from addiction to have a place to turn, where they can feel safe and talk about their struggles at home. Having a parent who is dependent on alcohol or drugs can be very confusing for a child. When one person in the family is suffering from addition, the whole family is affected by the harm it causes, which is why the KIDS groups are such an important development to the work of the Blue Cross in Brazil.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing more updates with you throughout the year!