BRA094 Preparing youth for work
project description
In Brazil many teenagers end up in difficult situations: prostitution due to their family situations, they get pregnant, or they live from robbery or selling drugs. The centre for youth ‘Jardim Colonial’ started the course ‘I believe in my future!’ to prevent teenagers ending up like just mentioned. Passionate teachers train youngsters in social skills, organising tasks, usage of computer, personal skills, financial management and job applications. In this way the youngsters increase their employment opportunities, and become aware of their desire for a better life.
why this project?
The teenagers originate from the poorest and most violent areas of the city Castro. At home and in their neighbourhood they have to deal with hunger, being neglected, poverty, violence, usage of drugs and alcohol abuse. The church youth centre offers a safe haven in which they can prepare themselves for working in a company, among others by doing an internship. The teenagers increase their opportunities for getting a permanent contract and for having a different future.
impact
By partaking in the course the teenagers have higher grades in their secondary school. Six teenagers who followed the course in 2015, have a payed job by now.
Teenagers are also informed about teen pregnancy, usage of alcohol, dealing with money in a proper way, ethics, and Biblical values. These are lessons for life. Indirectly parents also take advantage of the change of their child: they do not need to worry about loitering children or about the child’s future income, and they also perceive a more stable family situation and a renewed future.
what can we learn?
Social security and safety are two essential conditions for children to flourish in life later on. Irrespective of the circumstances, it is needed to apply empathy, energy and time at all time with a loving heart. Are we willing to offer that to children?
