Prevent Youth Involvement in Drug Trafficking

Paola is one of the girls that has been raised at Julio Otoni. She started with us when she was 7 and was one of the children featured in the Global \Giving video. Paola is now 14 and continues to be part of Julio Otoni. Though now in another role. She is now one of the instructors of activities for the small ones. She gives dance classes to the children and helps the other instructors.  Paola is an example of a new generation of change agents that is emerging at Julio Otoni.  Paola wants the  Center to thrive and  continue providing the same kind of  vital space and care that she and others have  received.  The Julio Otoni Center now completes a decade. In 10 years we have maintained the activities for an average of 50 to 60 children providing them a home and care that their families might not have the time nor the resources to provide. The commitment of Paola is an example of giving back what she  received.  This gives us hope! Paola and the children of Julio Otoni are grateful to all of you have have given continuing resources.

In September 2014, Julio Otoni Community Center became part of a network of Community Digital Literacy Centers called Casa Rio Digital. They are sponsored by the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro that installed the computers in a room dedicated for classes available for  children and adults. Courses have experienced instructors which are paid by the municipality. At  Julio Otoni is one of the 32 communities in Rio that hosts one of the centers.  In the first three months classes in microsoft office and other more popular applications took place.  Courses take normally three months and  are given everyday in the afternoons or mornings depending on the time children go to school.

Last December a group of 15 children got their first certificate. The graduation cerimony was  attended by high authorities of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in which  children and parents participate.

During the period other classes continued to be given by volunteers.  The community is very proud to be part of the map of Digital Inclusion Education in Rio de Janeiro.

Your support continues to be very important to maintain the house. We continue covering all the expenses, from cleaning, utilities now even higher due to the use of electricity loaded by the air conditioning which has to be permanently on.  We also use the resources to pay Eliana and Karina which are community members and manage the house. So please continue to donate and maintain this project that for the last 8 years has helped marginalized children to become citizens! 

Our best wishes for 2015!