Prevent Youth Involvement in Drug Trafficking

The economic consequences of the pandemic have been felt worldwide, but in the case of Brazil just like other third world countries, it has been hitting hardest in marginalized communities such as favelas. The nature of the favela itself makes it very difficult to maintain a healthy social distance, adding the fact that its inhabitants cannot stop working and receiving a salary to feed their families. 

To respond to the crisis, our Community Center has become a Market Basket hub where we receive donations, buy and prepare basic food and hygene baskets and distribute them to families in the community. Our close relationship with the community has helped us greatly in organizing and meeting as best we can the needs of the favela. 

We are very grateful for our donors' support and kindly ask that you continue to help us if it is whithin your possibilities, so we can overcome this crisis together!

With gratitude, 

The Julio Otoni Community Center team

We just wrapped up our summer camp activities in the Center, which included English lessons  and games with the help of our international volunteers. Now that carnaval has passed, we are back in the regular school calendar rythm, and are tutoring in after-school programs.

This month we ran a measles vaccination campaign in the community center in partnership with the health secretariat of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The community center is not only a place for children to get tutoring and come together to play, but also an important focal point of community welfare. Vaccination campaigns and other health-related events are often part of our activities.

A big thank you to our donors who help us provide a safe space in the Julio Otoni favela - stay tuned for more stories of our community center!