Little Butterflies: supporting abused kids, Brazil

Dear Donors,

Brazil and Manaus in particular continue to be critical places for sexual exploitation and child trafficking. Socio-economic vulnerability, combined with a lack of awareness and adequate protection, exposes many children and adolescents to risky situations. It is essential to continue to raise awareness in the community and offer support to minors and families through targeted projects that can provide safe spaces and opportunities for growth.

In November, one of Aleimar’s staff members together with two volunteers took part in a monitoring trip to evaluate ongoing activities and identify new opportunities for collaboration. During the visit, a meeting took place with FatherHudson, with whom we have been collaborating for years and who was recently appointed Bishop of Manaus by Pope Francis.

FatherHudson proposed to strengthen our collaboration through the use of the new headquarters of “Little Butterflies”, a renovated building equipped with multipurpose rooms and spaces for protected meetings. His team will support the organization of weekly meetings aimed at groups of 25 children, accompanied by a reference family member. Each family in the Aleimar project will participate once a month, with the possibility of individual meetings for the most delicate cases. The topics covered will include sexual education, a fundamental aspect to raise awareness of prevention and protection for both parents and adolescents. Legal and health care assistance will continue to be at the center of our path to help children heal the wounds left by sexual violence.

In light of this, Aleimar, in collaboration with the local partner Archdiocese Psychological Support Service for Families (SAPFAM) of Manaus, likes to recall one of the main objectives of the project, that of creating welcoming and well-structured spaces in which to provide psychological and social support. We believe that offering beautiful and safe environments can convey a sense of hope and the possibility of change. Giving children and their families a dignified place in which to meet and receive help means offering them the possibility of imagining a different and better future.

Thank you for your precious support to our project, your help, especially in this moment, has been and continues to be essential to offer young victims of sexual violence the opportunity to overcome trauma and grow in a safe and protected environment.