After about 4 months of collection donations, we are starting the distribution of the art and school supplies received over Christmas, New Years and Carnaval. I have put a post on Facebook on the page called "Rocinha' searching for creches and schools to give the materials to. I have given to specific daycares in the past but I want to open up other avenues and make connections with more creches in need. The more we can help the better.
I need to make something clear here. I have always been about transparency in regards to the work we do. I received a message from a woman who complained that she saw posts like this one as "showing off". Her point is understood but she is not in my position. Many tourists give to projects like mine because we are very clear in what we do. People who give donations to us, and they have every right to see (with proof) where their donations go. There are many scammers out there looking to take advantage of nice people. I want at all times, my words to be backed by showing what we do. So, if some see it as "showing off", so be it.
So the distribution of donations has begun.
March 20th, 2016: The first place we gave to is Centro Social "E Ae Como E Que Fica". Sandra who works with the school came by to pick up some of the school supplies. Her creche serves about 100 children between the ages of 5 months until 5 years old. Her creche is located at the top of Rua 1 in Rocinha.
The first was Ivan Taylor, 26 years old is the son of Juaciara. Juaciara runs the creche called Maria Maria in the area of Cezario high up the hill in Rocinha. Their creche serves about 80 children between the ages of 5 months and 5 years. I hope these supplies can help their project. Below are fotos of the creche and the children using the materials. Creche Maria Maria is ever so greatfull. Thank you to everyone who donated!
The next person to pick up some donations was Junior, 15 years old, the son of Luciana Santos. She started "Casa da Luciana" as a means to raise her kids at home and help other families. She currently takes care of about 20 children from the ages of 1 year until 10 years old.
Luciana sent me this message: "Hello Zezinho, I am 47 years old and I take care of children at the entrance of street number 2 in the favela. I began this work a long time ago. Because I have problems with my weight, I prefer to stay and work in my home. I also work to receive toys and donations that I can distribute to needy families. I don't accept money. I have been doing this work for 5 years."
Luciana sent me some photos of the children that she cares for. The photos are not the best, but she is a very proud woman!
UPDATE April 4th: I advised Luciana to make a facebook page to promote her creche and now she has a page called Refugio e Fortaleza. Check it out!
Creche Municipal Castelinho
Creche Castelinho was started as a private daycare in 1994 but then because a municipal or city governed daycare in 2004. Leidy Martins has been working at the daycare since 2007 and she loves working with children. The school has 100 children enrolled between the ages of 1 to 3 years old.
I always try to help different types of daycares that are in need. Children need activities to keep them busy and have fun.
If you would like to donate to one of these projects, the directors have told me that the most needed items are:
Coloring books
Coloring books with educational things (like coloring simple math problems)
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Simple puzzles
These should be items that are suitable for children 3-10 years old.
I want to give a BIG thank you out to all the wonderful visitors who gave these school supplies in 2015-16. These materials will be put to good use! Also for
Pack for a Purpose a website that encourages visitors to low income areas around the world to bring donations to projects in need.
If you are interested in helping in any way please contact Zezinho at:
visitrocinha@gmail.com
