Children At Risk - STREETKIDS

The Legacy of a Street Kid – Part II.

2011-12-28T19:08:00.004-02:00

I immediately understood the reason for Wender’s “call” from my living-room wall. Describe it as whatever you like, but the fact that his message got through to me can’t be neglected.

The story continues...

The Legacy of a Street Kid – Part I.

2011-12-26T09:56:00.006-02:00

Strangely enough and as if by fate, the street kids we have lost over the years, seemingly wanted us to be constantly reminded of their past existence by leaving behind some kind of legacy...

Wender belonged to the first group of kids rescued from the streets by me between 1993 and 1995. He was 13 years old at the time.

Read the story...

So Fragile is a Street Kid’s Life...

2011-12-05T21:15:00.002-02:00

This story was written on the night of the actual experience, whilst still shivering over the thought of what might have happened had we not turned up that very moment as their “guardian angels”
So Fragile is a Street Kid’s Life... - Broowaha

The Fragility of Human Culture...

2011-12-05T01:51:00.005-02:00

Storytelling plays an important role in the oral tradition of the Guarani Mbyá Indians and the preservation of their native culture. 10-year old Jeguaká Mirim is one such storyteller...
The Fragility of Human Culture... - Broowaha

Welcome to Hummingbird's 17th. Capoeira Batizado

2009-04-18T09:26:00.006-03:00

Capoeira Beija-Flor invites you to come on Saturday, 25th.April 2009 at 14.00hrs. at The Hummingbird Arts & Cultural Activity Centre.

Conexões Urbanas - Extracts

2009-01-07T15:09:00.014-02:00

Extracts from this week's Conexões Urbanas on GloboSat's MULTISHOW, channel 42.

From Europe to the periphery of São Paulo

Da Europa para a periferia de São Paulo.
Nasce o CARF (Children At Risk Foundation) em Noruega por um grande ideal em 1992. Gregory J. Smith realizou um velho sonho: Vendeu sua bela casa, leiloou todos os seus móveis e pertences, usou suas reservas econômicas e experiência em um projeto de ajuda as crianças de várias partes do mundo.

O grande ideal de Gregory ao chegar no Brasil era construir um caminho efetivo de recuperação para crianças que vivem na rua, e criando alternativas de uma vida digna para a população infanto-juvenil em situação de risco.

O Programa Preventivo nasceu em 1996, da necessidade de complementar o trabalho de reeducação e inserção das crianças e jovens em processo de recuperação em um meio social que promovesse referencial positivo, que se iniciou com o encaminhamento para a aprendizagem da Capoeira. O Grupo de Capoeira Contemporânea Beija-Flor representa hoje em nosso trabalho, um dos maiores elementos de inclusão social e é seguramente uma das atividades de maior impacto social que desenvolvemos, com ca.350 jovens e crianças praticando regularmente, aqui na Rede Cultural Beija-Flor e na Noruega.

Poverty and neglect at Sítio Joaninha

Muita pobreza e descaso no SÍTIO JOANINHA.
Elegemos como nossa porta estratégica o Grupo Referencial Positivo de Jovens Empreendedores para alcançarmos o nosso Público-Alvo: crianças e jovens em áreas de risco social e pessoal, alguns já em conflito com a sociedade e a lei. Constatando que é no grupo, que o jovem desenvolve intensas trocas, que ajudam a construir sua identidade pessoal e social, acreditamos que um grupo com referenciais positivos de respeito mútuo, ética, valorização do potencial humano, solidariedade e promoção de paz possa transformar positivamente a vida de nossas crianças e jovens. Djalma dos Santos é um exemplo.

Conexões Urbanas - Rede Cultural Beija-Flor

2009-01-05T01:46:00.007-02:00

O próximo Conexões Urbanas no Multishow, no dia 5 de janeiro, traz a Rede Cultural Beija-Flor. Nos arredores da maior cidade do Brasil, um lugar esquecido pela sociedade. No mapa consta como uma reserva ambiental, mas ao vivo é um antro de pobreza. Foi lá que aterrissou um gringo vindo dos fiordes noruegueses, um empreendedor que se emocionou com uma sessão de "Pixote" e embarcou disposto a resgatar as vidas perdidas de Diadema. Com o filme na cabeça e um projeto social na mão, Gregory Smith montou a Rede Cultural Beija-Flor, organização que juntou lideranças e talentos das próprias comunidades para criar novas perspectivas no meio da miséria.

O Conexões Urbanas vai ao ar no canal Multishow sempre as segundas-feiras, às 21h45. Com um tema diferente a cada semana, o programa tem como objetivo acabar com apartheid social, criar elos de conhecimento, cultura e afetividade entre os diversos guetos em que a sociedade se dividiu: ricos e pobres, brancos e pretos.

Conectado com os mais recentes pensamentos de sustentabilidade, tecnologia, cidadania, saúde e paz, José Junior apresenta empresas e pessoas que vêm experimentando transformações sociais ousadas e bem sucedidas no Brasil e no mundo.

Dirigido por Rafael Dragaud, produzido por José Junior (AfroReggae) e Augusto Casé (Casé Filmes) e com direção de fotografia de Maritza Caneca, o programa pode ainda ser conferido em horários alternativos: Terça, às 16h; Quarta, às 13h; Quinta, às 5h30; Sexta, às 17h30 e Domingo, às 8h30. Confira sempre o site do Multishow, pois os horários alternativos podem mudar.

Veja a chamada do programa desta segunda-feira, através do YouTube.

Ou através do Canal do AfroReggae

The Hummingbird Project - Retrospective 2008

2009-01-02T23:17:00.002-02:00

The Hummingbird Project - Retrospective 2008 from Rede Cultural Beija-Flor on Vimeo.

View the full version HERE

Thanks to hundreds of individual supporters, including many from the Blogger Global Community, the Children At Risk Foundation completed yet another successful year, one of the most optimistic in 15 years of our existence in Brazil, with almost 1.000 children and young people attended.

This year looks even more promising and we have many exciting and ambitious plans for positive social change in 2009, but without your support none of what you see in this video retrospective would have been possible. The video was made by youth in the programme who only a few years ago never had contact with computers.

It only costs an average USD$400,00 a year to keep a kid protected in our Street Migration Prevention Programme. That’s all it costs to change the destiny of an at-risk child at Hummingbird, which was judged as one of the 12 best projects of São Paulo for the esteemed Deutsches Bank Urban Age Award 2008 in strong competition with 133 organizations. We did not win the $100.000 prize as we had hoped, but we were very proud to be among the 12 finalists.

YOU can help us to realize this year’s plans by contributing any amount or signing up as a regular monthly subscriber.

I will thank you and most certainly our children will too.

Urban Age Award 2008

2008-12-17T15:00:00.002-02:00

Urban Age Award 2008, originally uploaded by carf.

Our actions depend on other people's ability to give. They are in fact limited by that fact, because we are a non-profit organization where our profits are measured in social gain. We are also a small grassroots organization with a very small administration, running on an even smaller budget. We don't have the millions needed for hi-class publicity campaigns in the media, to break through the giving barrier.
Nevertheless, earlier this month we were judged as one of the 12 best projects of São Paulo for the esteemed Deutsches Bank Urban Age Award 2008 in strong competition with 133 organizations. We did not win the $100.000 prize as we had hoped, but we were very proud to be among the 12 finalists.

On the award certificate we received at the prize giving ceremony are the following words:

We certify that the REDE CULTURAL BEIJA-FLOR (Hummingbird Cultural Network) distinguishes itself among the 12 best projects of the Deutsches Bank Urban Age Award São Paulo 2008.

Thank you to all our supporters for helping to make this possible!

World Community Arts Day - 2008

2008-03-21T16:22:00.004-03:00

Organised by Craigmillar Communiversity on the 17th February 2008.

The idea of being part of a creative world community has always been enthusiastically supported by Hummingbird's community youth leaders. The results of their actions on the 17th February can be seen in this video clip, which was filmed and edited by them and which they have great pleasure in sharing with the rest of this wonderful world community.

Dia de Arte na Comunidade - 2008 - RCBF
Uploaded by gerson

Art as a catalyst for caring and sharing, World Community Arts Day 2008 has gone really well this year and has more than tripled in size. It is now a Global festival. From Brazil to Slovenia, from Australia to Ireland, from The USA to Singapore, from Kenya to Canada.
The World Community Arts Day begins to shows how many great projects there are that are based on Art for caring and sharing.

Embrace the stars...

2007-12-13T19:47:00.001-02:00

Embrace the stars..., originally uploaded by carf.

A short RETROSPECTIVE of 2007 – Watch our latest Video HERE!

Reaching for a Star Campaign - 2007
To Date: USD$775,00

Beginning with three contributions of USD$50,00 each for the "purchase" of three personalized CHRISTMAS GIFT CERTIFICATES to friends and family from a Flickr member, the Reaching for a Star Campaign 2007 got off to a roaring start this week.

I hope many of Flickr's members, new to the community, will discover this alternative method of giving at Christmas, ideal for friends and family whom you feel already have everything.

Still having problems trying to decide what to give at Christmas?
Then this is surely the ideal gift that everyone will appreciate. Our children certainly do!

Simply go to our Christmas Gift Certificate Campaign Page and decide how much you would like to give by clicking on one of the donation buttons provided on the page. You can give any amount you desire.

This will bring you to our PayPal payments page ( PayPal is a global leader in online payment solutions with more than 153 million accounts worldwide. No need to worry, you don't need to have an account because payments can be made using most credit cards).
Don't forget to leave a message on the PayPal payments form stating who your certificate is to be made out to and from whom it is being given. We will then prepare your personalized gift certificate with those names and e-mail it off to you ready for printing on your desktop printer. Fast and easy without even leaving your computer.

100% of your gift goes towards the Hummingbird Project, attending more than 600 underprivileged children. This year's campaign funds will be used for purchasing musical instruments for our new community prevention centre in Sítio Joaninha due to open in February 2008.
This will be the first social development program available to at-risk community children in the region and a most important step towards bettering their lives.

Please join us to make it the success they deserve!

Gregory J. Smith
Social Entrepreneur and Founder
The Children At Risk Foundation - CARF

A change for the better...

2007-11-25T09:33:00.001-02:00

A change for the better..., originally uploaded by carf.

During her first trimester of pregnancy, Paula, a mother from the shanty community of Sítio Joaninha, had listened ardently to what I had to say about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the possible effects of alcohol on her unborn baby.

I find myself constantly informing pregnant mothers like Paula, whom I meet during my regular visits to the community, about the dangers of alcohol use during pregnancy. Paula’s habitual drinking gave me all the more reason to reinforce the information with her on each visit, about this leading known cause of mental retardation in the World today, with an occurrence rate of 1 in 750 live births. It is estimated that in the US alone, 5,000 infants are born each year with FAS and 50,000 with Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). Approximately 30 to 40 percent of all women who drink heavily during pregnancy will have a baby with FAS. It is found in all races and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Brazil has no statistics on the subject and I am apt to believe that the numbers will be much higher here if ever the health authorities get round to doing research on the subject. The incredible number of youngsters from underprivileged communities in this country, involved with drugs and crime and living on the streets, could very well have roots back to the abuse of alcohol during pregnancy. Almost all the kids I have worked with on the streets or in youth delinquent detention centres came from alcohol abusive homes and specifically alcoholic mothers.......

Paula now believes that her alcohol abuse during pregnancy is probably the reason for her first-born son, João Vitor, to be the “impossible” child he makes out to be, a belief that gave her good enough reason to take heed of my advice and to stop drinking during the last 6 months of her recent pregnancy. Last week Paula’s second son was born, only a few days after the above photo was taken. I hope for the child’s sake and his mother’s too, that they will both be shielded from one more frustrating problem along with all the others they must deal with in their daily hardship to survive.

FAS / FAE is preventable - 100% preventable. Research has shown that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The only sure way to prevent damage is to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. There is no cure for FAS.

NB! As an important side note on this problem, our group of youth entrepreneurs, WINGS of Hummingbird, are developing a prevention programme about FAS / FAE to be introduced to Paula’s community next year.

WINGS OF HUMMINGBIRD

2007-09-23T19:38:00.000-03:00

Capacity Building of Youth in Asset-based Community Development.

The implementation of a network of community nuclei in underprivileged communities of the periphery of São Paulo is part of CARF's expansion strategy in Asset-based Community Development. The technical project, "From Clients to Citizens", more popularly called "ASAS do Beija-Flor" ("WINGS of Hummingbird"), has now received its own BLOG, which aims to inform about developments in the programme and follow our network expansion. The WINGS project was developed to stimulate and capacitate youth in community leadership and to cater for their positive development and participation in Hummingbird's expansion.

Apart from the capacity building needs of these young people, another important aim with this project is to help diminish the flux of children from underprivileged communities to the streets by expanding our Street Migration Prevention Programme into at-risk communities, where these young entrepreneurs will hopefully continue to expand the actions that this project will help them develop.

Help us to become changemakers by connecting underprivileged communities through the expansion of our Hummingbird Cultural Network.

Teach them how to fish!

2007-03-03T14:57:00.001-03:00

Take the plunge...!
Originally uploaded by carf.

"Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."

...continuing along the lines of this well-known Chinese proverb, we at CARF try as best we can to teach our kids how to fish. It is probably the only way they will never need to go hungry.
Most of Brazil's social problems stem from poverty, inequality and ignorance and it's hard to know where to begin to resolve them. Teaching our children simple skills and responsibilities and rewarding them for learning or helping is the first step to building self-esteem.

After a season of summer and Carnival holidays in Brazil, I am happy to get back to normal working days with all my staff present and in action at our Hummingbird Arts & Cultural Activity Centre, where they uphold the spirit of our Street Migration Prevention Programme and where building self-esteem is the essence of our efforts through artistic and cultural expression.

After such a recession in our programme, what better news to hear than that brought to me by Célio, one of our youth scholarship holders in training, who helps teach Hummingbird’s children music and guitar. Célio has been supported with one of our so-called Youth Capacity Building Scholarships, which are regular grant contributions made by individual sponsors of the programme throughout the entire year. Our aim with this kind of capacity building project is to create a team of new capacities within our programme; youth agents of social change within their own communities, prepared to take on the forthcoming expansion of the Hummingbird Project.

Célio above is one such agent and a good one at that.

With an almost "broken heart" and very reserved feelings about his decision, Célio waited for hours today, just to exchange a few personal words with me and express his feelings. He told me of the difficult decision he had made to leave his position as a scholarship holder at Hummingbird due to other responsibilities he was now taking on. Knowing that he comes from a particularly difficult family situation with many smaller brothers and sisters, I asked Célio why he had chosen to leave so suddenly. He then explained how during the holidays he had entered a major song contest arranged by a professional recording company here in São Paulo, competing against 36 other groups. Célio had managed to win first place, whereupon he had just signed a 3-year registered recording contract, which would pay him a guaranteed minimum monthly wage of approx. USD$800,00.

Now for an 18-year old kid from utmost poverty in Brazil, who comes from a family trying very hard to survive on the occasional odd jobs for his parents and a fraction of that amount to live on each month, Célio was of course overwhelmed by this opportunity. He had won the contest with the music he had recorded here at Hummingbird's own little studio but was reserved about his decision because he felt he was abandoning the organization that had lifted him from almost nothing and given him the capacity to realize his dreams. He really didn't want to leave all that behind because he loved what he was doing here.

Teach them how to fish!

Of course I was saddened to know that we will be "losing" not only one of our youth capacities, but also a great kid who means a lot for other kids here at Hummingbird, but at the same time I shared this optimistic fisherman's hopes for a bigger catch. I told Célio how happy I was to hear his wonderful news and to know that we had eventually managed to teach him how to fish.

Hopefully, he will not forget where he learnt how to.....

My future is at risk...

2007-02-26T22:36:00.001-03:00

My future is at risk...
Originally uploaded by carf.

Please don’t let your actions today jeopardize my tomorrow...

Let Amazon live: A Global Priority.

The Amazon is not only the world’s largest tropical rain forest, its stock of biodiversity goes unrivalled in the entire planet, with various animal and plant species still waiting to be discovered.

It is also the place where 20 million people have their homes.

Therefore, any solutions serving the Amazon need primarily, to be economically and environmentally viable ones.

Between August/2003 and August/2004, the annual rate of deforestation in the Amazon – was an alarming 26.130 km2 – the second largest in history and equivilent to more than 8.600 football pitches per day. According to estimates by the National Institute of Space Research (Inpe), one year’s destruction of the planet’s most bio-diverse forest was equivalent to the entire area of the State of Sergipe and slightly less than the whole of Belgium.

During the last three years, deforestation of the Amazon has stayed above the level of 23.000 km2, a higher number than during the Military dictatorship.

The protection of the Amazon rain forest and the search for satisfactory solutions that can help towards a more positive development of the region is a Global priority for Greenpeace.

- Text freely translated from: www.greenpeace.org.br/amazonia/

NB! This is not an indigenous warrior from the Amazon, but 11-year old Jefferson, one of our conscious young community warriors from the AfroBreak dance group during one of their presentations. See AfroBreak’s Blog.

In Portuguese – em português.

Amazônia viva: Prioridade global

A Amazônia não é apenas a maior floresta tropical do mundo, mas um estoque de biodiversidade sem igual em todo o planeta, com várias espécies animais e vegetais ainda desconhecidas.

É também o local escolhido por 20 milhões de pessoas para viver.

Portanto, qualquer solução para a Amazônia precisa passar necessariamente pela busca por soluções economicamente e ecologicamente viáveis.

A taxa anual de desmatamento na Amazônia Legal no período agosto/2003-agosto/2004 - alarmantes 26.130 km2 – foi a segunda maior da história e equivale a mais de 8,6 mil campos de futebol por dia. De acordo com estimativas do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (Inpe), a destruição em apenas um ano da floresta com a maior biodiversidade do planeta foi maior do que a área total do Estado de Sergipe e pouco menor do que a Bélgica.

Nos últimos três anos, os índices de desmatamento têm se mantido acima de 23 mil km2, número superior aos da época da ditadura militar.

A proteção da floresta e a busca por soluções para o desenvolvimento da região é uma prioridade global do Greenpeace.

- Texto: www.greenpeace.org.br/amazonia/

...and they call us the future?

2007-02-24T16:58:00.001-02:00

...and they call us the future?
Originally uploaded by carf.

Expectations for positive social change are few and far between...

Whilst our governing politicians fight to defend their heavily criticized wage increases of more than 90%, Christmas and every other day of the year is a plight for survival for families such as this one in Brazil, where each day is merely just another one in a long line of monotonous days and where expectations for positive social change are few and far between.

For brothers and sisters like 12-year old Kennedy, 4-year old Vitor, 10-year old Gustavo and 5-year old Jessica, little has changed since they were born in absolute poverty, in the shanty where they still live, in a simple wooden shack, which floods with water each time it rains heavily, common at this time of the year. The older boys risk their lives playing with their kites alongside the main motorway that runs close-by their home, whilst observing the more than a million cars with privileged families leaving São Paulo and heading for the coast to enjoy a long Christmas weekend on the beach.

Their dignity as proud human beings was already stolen from them generations ago when their indigenous forefathers struggled to keep their land safe from the greedy hands of their white conquerors. Human egoism has robbed them of their natural balance with Mother Nature, to the point that they no longer remember which tribe their great grandparents belonged to.

With their father in prison these last three years, mother has her hands full trying to make ends meet. Putting rice and beans on the table each day is her main priority, so this year’s Christmas turkey from the Reaching for a Star Group was such a blessing that little Vitor couldn’t even wait for his mother to finish preparing it for the oven before he pulled away at some of the excess raw fat with his teeth and swallowed it all up in such a speed that I realized there would be no leftovers from this particular Christmas dinner.

Next year we will need to get Kennedy and Gustavo back into school as they gave up on it this year due to the long walking distance and the fact that neither can read nor write yet.

So whilst our politicians argue to defend their monthly pay rise of 91% to the astronomical value of 24.500 Brazilian reais (8.750 euros), in contrast to the 7,1% rise of the minimum worker’s wage, causing it to reach the incredible sum of 375 reais (134 euros) by April next year, - the father of these kids sits in prison, wondering how he’ll make ends meet when he gets out next year........

If the Brazilian society doesn’t wake up soon and begin preventing against the negative effects of all this human absurdity, what more can they expect from this father once he gets out of a failing prison system?
With six children to fend for under such difficult conditions, ...I ask you?

PS! If I remember correctly, it was armed robbery the last time he was sentenced…

....and the next time?

FLIGHT OF THE HUMMINGBIRD

2006-12-18T01:54:00.000-02:00

Flight of the Hummingbird..., originally uploaded by carf.

Hitch a ride on Hummingbird’s wings...

...for this brief but excelling moment, to experience the energy and the optimism of our youth entrepreneurs and to share their hope for a better future for our kids, everyone a changemaker!

Hummingbird spreads its wings over the community

CARF's Hummingbird Project in São Paulo is constantly and firmly spreading its wings over the community, protecting children at risk from the perils of the streets, drugs, violence and abuse.

This video presentation was created by Gerson, the youth monitor of the Breakdance workshops and leader of the AfroBreak Dance Group at our Hummingbird Arts and Cultural Activity Centre in Diadema, where many of the scenes in the video were registered during 2006, also in and around the community.

Youth like Gerson have only recently had access to computers and the World Wide Web and are now making good use of the resources made available to them at Hummingbird, thanks to your valued contributions.
Please take a spare moment to rate the video and leave your comments below because our youth are following these pages and are interested in how you view there efforts.

Looking for the perfect gift for those who have everything?

Embrace the ones you cherish at Christmas by giving a Gift Certificate from CARF as this year’s present to your family and friends.

EVERYONE A CHANGEMAKER...

2006-11-08T20:37:00.000-02:00

Happy Hugging..., originally uploaded by carf.

Happy Hugging!

I know our picture galleries will never reach as many views as 5.724.662 (five million, seven hundred and twenty four thousand, six hundred and sixty two) with 12.956 comments and 36.879 faves but THIS did!!!!

Go give someone a HUG!

WORLD CEASEFIRE VIGIL

2006-08-07T22:25:00.000-03:00

World Ceasefire Vigil
Originally uploaded by carf.

During the last week I’m sure there are many visitors to the Flickr photostreams who have noticed all the small black ribbons that Flickrites are now using as their buddy icons. Those icons represent more than just another Flickr identity, they represent a strong desire for world peace and a stop to the recent war breakout, by the many who have chosen to wear them for this peace action, an important action against yet another war to destroy thousands of innocent citizens, their families, their homes and their countries.

This is why over 4000 Flickrites decided to unite their actions this last week in a group called MUNDO UNO

…and the group is constantly growing as one of the fastest and most
meaningful on Flickr.

* MUNDO UNO means ONE WORLD.
* MUNDO UNO is a call for peace.
* MUNDO UNO is a virtual protest against the madness of the war.
* MUNDO UNO is a way to say: stop the killing of civilians in both sides.

Shall we be ONE, one world, one face, one people to change this?

I hope and believe so and that is why I am asking you, my Flickr friends and contacts and anyone else visiting this Blog, to be part of this important action for World Peace.

Please join us today and take part in the group's CEASEFIRE action in
support of Amnesty International's WORLD CEASEFIRE VIGIL.
More information about this can be found in the group's discussion
threads.

I thank you and I'm sure our group members thank you.
MUNDO UNO

Gregory J. Smith (CARF)
Social Entrepreneur and Founder
Children At Risk Foundation - CARF

HUMMINGBIRD SPREADS IT'S WINGS

2006-04-10T17:36:00.000-03:00

Hummingbird spreads its wings..., originally uploaded by carf.

The Art of Compassion

I have just been honoured with this very special gift and I am overjoyed with it.

A very competent artist and Flickr friend, Jean-Françoís Le Saínt, creatively conceived this beautiful pastel portrait, of 7-year old José Roberto, one of the children attended by our Hummingbird programme in a nearby favela.

The motive chosen in this beautiful artwork is based on our recent community programme called Beija-Flor na Comunidade (Hummingbird in the Community), where youth leaders and mobilizers visited the nearby favelas to offer the children various artistic, cultural and sporting activities.

You can see the photos and read more about the programme by visiting our Flickr gallery, "Hummingbird Spreads It's Wings"
For a quick review, see the Slide Show

There is also a separate illustrated article in the archives of this Blog. That's actually José Roberto's foot securing the spade below...

I am still contemplating the full meaning of this fabulous composition, as there is more to his work than meets the eye.

Jean-Françoís had already surprised me last week with another gift; a most unexpected portrait of the very first kid I had rescued from the streets of São Paulo back in 1993; Diego, who was tragically gunned-down and died in the arms of his girlfriend only a couple of years ago, but who’s memory still lives strongly in those who got to know him during this last decade.

It is compassionate actions like these in support of my work, that help me believe in and carry on with the near impossible task it is of recuperating the lives of kids who have already lost most of their childhood.

Jean-Françoíse, your gift means more than any amount of money can buy. Thank you my friend!

Gregory J. Smith
CARF Brasil

Please visit Jean-Françoíse gallery of pastels at jfls.free.fr

The Witnesses

2005-11-05T01:46:00.000-02:00

the witnesses, originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

Photo by Tatiana Cardeal, São Paulo – BRAZIL.

Taken during a cultural performance by children and young people of the Grupo Cultural Beija-Flor on Brazilian Children’s Day

Moderators comments:

I'm so moved by this image that I decided to release our in-house pre-recording of the song "Valor Negro", which belongs to the presentation you see in Tatiana's image above.

Look deeply into the large size of this image then close your eyes and listen.
The song, a historic reflection of the negro's plight for freedom and justice, was created and is performed by the kids in our programme and will be the basis of our Music Video Clip to be filmed next week.

Just click here and wait a few minutes for the song to download.
Then PLAY and ENJOY!

This fabulous image is of Poca (Jefferson), one of my “adopted” former street kids, who is the older brother of Eliana and Sandra, all three having spent a good deal of their childhood living on the streets. He is also the brother of my youngest Prince Charming, Vando.

This Capoeira Video Clip, made by youth from Gumbo TV – USA during their visit to the Hummingbird Project in São Paulo, includes interviews with Poca, now capoeira instructor at Hummingbird.

The African slaves who were hauled to Brazil hundreds of years ago, brought with them their culture and their traditions. They were robbed of their freedom but their wealthy culture and their strong spirit became very much a part of Brazilian culture and tradition. Their Afro-Brazilian descendents were responsible for developing the unique and sporting art of Capoeira, which has been our “flagship” programme at Hummingbird since 1993.
Implanted as part of our street kids recuperation programme, capoeira has been an important “tool” in rescuing the lives of many kids from the hardships of the streets, as it also was during the freedom fight of the slaves more than 120 years ago.

Youth mentor and capoeira instructor, Poca, knows only too well about the hardships of the streets, as he himself is one of those who have been recuperated with the help of Capoeira. His greatest desire whilst on the streets was to one day become a Capoeira Master. This special photo, dear Tatiana, represents not only the plight of all our African brothers and sisters but also Poca’s own plight for freedom from drugs and the streets. Today, one can reasonably say that he has realised his dream.

If you would like to know more about Poca's background, go visit our fabulous Capoeira Website, click on the links bar under "Academy", then "Instructors" and then scroll along to "Poca".
A wonderful story, which enforces even more this fabulous image!

CHILDREN’S DAY – A Hope for the Future

2005-10-13T23:42:00.000-03:00

Our well-trained “Hummingbirds” spread their wings as potential youth community leaders, to share love, hope and knowledge, creating new possibilities for the children of the Favela Morro de Macaco in São Paulo. - Photo by Tatiana Cardeal

Children’s Day marks the start of a new phase in the Hummingbird Project.

12th. October is Brazilian Children’s Day, also known as the day of the Brazilian Patron Saint of the Family called Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida; Mother of God, Queen of the Angels, Advocate of the Fishermen, Refuge and Consolation of the Afflicted and Protector of the Family against illness, hunger, assault and any other perils that might affect us. In other words quite a mouthful and just about everything we try to attain with our work for at-risk children and youth in Brazil.

12th. October also marked the beginning of a new partnership in the Hummingbird Project, namely the start-up of our new community base at the Lar Maria & Sininha Orphanage, right in the middle of the Favela called Morro de Macaco (Monkey's Mound – called so because not so long ago, before the hills were suddenly taken over by an organized invasion of impoverished families, it was covered with what little is left of the once thriving Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rain Forest), which was cut down and cleared within a weekend to make way for thousands of shacks. Along with this incredible action disappeared a wealth of natural resources and wildlife, including the many monkeys that inhabited the area).

This kind of uncontrolled development not only irreversibly destroys nature but also puts a great deal of pressure on all public amenities and subsequently causes many of these families to live in a situation of high risk, with even more children growing up in this country who lack some of the basic necessities of life.

Instead of organized public planning and policy, this is yet another great example of how shortsighted our politicians are in running this wealthy country and creating the necessary means of sustainable development for all its inhabitants! Once again NGO’s like ours have to step in to try and reverse a very negative situation, whilst we wait for more intelligent and ethical people to lead this country away from disaster.

With the birth of our new community base in the Favela Morro de Macaco, these children will have access to activities, “adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development”, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development, and that parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living necessary for the child's development.

As most of the families in the Favela Morra de Macaco do not posses either the abilities or the financial capacities and the fact that we don’t expect too much from our government for a long time yet, we, the NGO’s, certainly have a heavy workload ahead of us. With 312.000 social development programmes in Brazil you wouldn’t think the problems would be so difficult to resolve, but unfortunately we are still far from reaching satisfactory solutions.

Morro de Macaco (Monkey's Mound) was only a few years ago covered with what little is left of the once thriving Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rain Forest). These hills were suddenly taken over by an organized invasion of impoverished families and all the trees were cut down and cleared within a weekend to make way for thousands of shacks.

The objectives for our new base in the Favela Morro de Macaco is to replicate some of the positive actions we have created at our Hummingbird Cultural Activity Centre, which although situated quite close to this Favela, has reached its maximum capacity considering the high number of at-risk children and youth in our region. The programmes to be implemented at the new base will be developed by our youth multipliers in cooperation with their community youth mentors, replicating the abilities they have acquired from their own participation in our Street Migration Prevention Programme. This is a result of the positive investment being made by a number of small private sponsors who each support one of our youth multipliers with a small grant, our so-called Youth Capacity Building Scholarship Programme.

Having grown up in the local community under difficult circumstances themselves, youth multipliers like Guaraciaba, Davi and Wagner above, have living knowledge of how to best care for the needs of other community children.

At Hummingbird there are 28 youngsters supported with capacity building scholarships or grants. Our aim for 2005 has been to double that number and hopefully we will succeed by showing such positive results for those already in the programme.

These grants are sponsored by individuals who realize they can make a difference in the life of one of our kids, which will again be multiplied and affect the lives of many other needy kids. That is a value for money investment.

If you would like to know more about our Youth Capacity Building Scholarship Programme, just take a look at the article on this Blog where you can easily subscribe to one of the scholarships on an automated monthly payment system through PayPal. Simple and Sweet!

Without your help we would not be doing all that we are able to do today to change the outlooks of children like those we will be helping on the Morro de Macaco.

Happy Birthday Sandra!

2005-09-17T09:35:00.000-03:00

Happy Birthday Sandra!, originally uploaded by carf.

Sandra seemed pretty relaxed during her birthday celebration, here with son Patrick. Little did she know that her greatest present was to be the birth of her second son a few hours later.

A Child is Born...

Sandra was one of the first girls I rescued from the streets in 1993 and has been my foster daughter ever since, along with her sister Eliane and two brothers, Jefferson and Vando.

Sandra seems to enjoy the role of mother, her nineteenth birthday present during the early hours of this morning was the birth of her second son.

Her first born, Patrick, seemed quite happy yesterday about welcoming the latest addition to his family. Luckily his father, Marcio, has a fixed job and can support his growing family.

But now Sandra says, no more!
I hope so too!

Congratulations young lady!
Take care of your sons and give them all the love you yourself yearned for as a child.

Sandra alone on the streets in the city center. Nobody could care for her future in 1993, until CARF came along and rescued her. Two years of street work was involved before she actually managed to stay off the streets for good.

You know the suffering,
I know the suffering,
we all know the suffering...,
...of a child abandoned to the streets

See more photos of Sandra and her new baby in this Album

HUMMINGBIRD ROCKS THE STRUCTURES OF MASP

2005-09-02T19:44:00.000-03:00

Grupo Cultural Beija-Flor in the theatre of the MASP (Art Museum of São Paulo), during the realization of the 10th. Prize-giving ceremony of the Real University Solidarity Programme (UNISOL)

Hummingbird delivers their special combination of joy and social criticism to an outstanding event.

Monday, 29th September, in the theatre of the MASP (Art Museum of São Paulo), was the realization of the 10th. Prize-giving ceremony for the ten selected projects of the 132 inscribed by Universities from all over Brazil, participating in the Real University Solidarity Programme (UNISOL).

The ceremony was honoured with the presence of Dra. Ruth Cardoso, wife of Brazil’s former President and Founder of the Programme UNISOL and President of COMUNITAS. Also present were Maria Luiz Pinto, Executive Director of Education and Development for the BANCO REAL and Elisabeth Vargas, Executive Superintendent of the UNISOL Programme, along with representatives of the different Universities, Students and Communities involved.

The ceremony also marked the 10 years of partnership between UNISOL and the BANCO REAL.

UNISOL is internationally renowned by UNESCO through their Comenius Award – a distinction granted by the Czechoslovakian Government for programmes and personalities who develop innovative solutions in the area of education. – The Civil Society Association University Solidarity – UNISOL, was created in 1955 by the Advice Councel of the COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY (also created by Ruth Cardoso), and has since mobilized Universities together with the different sectors of civil society and the State, for community participation in the entire country.

During the event the importance of youth participation was emphasized, also after the realization of such projects, which often resulted in the establishment of long-term relationships with the communities involved. “Not one single student will ever be the same person after having participated in a project for social development.”

Mentioned as good examples of the results obtained by the winning projects for 2004, were the hand-crafted sweets produced by the Comunidade de Cabo de Santo Agostinho, in Pernambuco, in partnership with the Federal University of Pernambuco, which could even be tasted during the cocktail after the prize-giving ceremony. Also the trophies made from Bamboo by the team of Cefet Paraná, in partnership with the Comunidade de Fazenda Grande. Both projects have helped to change the perspectives of these communities, bettering the quality and standard of life for their inhabitants.

A marvellous show, the happy result of a lot of dedication.

Then of course there was Hummingbird, making their noise and shaking the audience...

During a cultural presentation lasting approx. 20 minutes, the Grupo Cultural Beija-Flor delivered their special combination of joy and social criticism to the event; with the frenetic dance of AfroBreak and the Capoeira of the slaves from past and present, the melodious sound of our Experimental Band with the vibrations of the Banda Beija-Flor, the MASP was turned into a cooking pot of willpower and talent by the children and youth of the Hummingbird Cultural Activity Centre.

The ceremony was honoured with the presence of Dra. Ruth Cardoso, wife of Brazil’s former President and Founder of the Programme UNISOL.

A marvellous show, the happy result of a lot of dedication, which lifted the public from their seats and closed the ceremonial event with a Key of Gold.

Without doubt, joy was the dominating tone of this festive celebration.

Special thanks to our volunteers on Flickr:

Subhasish Karmaker, for his wonderful
photo collage made especially for our
Urban Outcries Programme

and to...

Luca Prasso, who supports the work of
CARUTAPERA, for letting our organization make
use of his wonderful B&W Slide Show.

NB! Carutapera is a town in the North East Brazil, in the State of Maranhao. Over 20.000 people live there. About 95% of them are very poor.

Padre Mario is a Missionary Father that has been helping them for the last 36 years. Sadly we just heard that he was attacked and severely injured on August 29th. during a robbery by someone who tried to steal their funds. Padre Mario is now in hospital in Sao Luis in grave conditions. Please visit their website and offer your support to Padre Mario.

Please answer our cry!

2005-08-25T19:42:00.000-03:00

Please answer our cry!, originally uploaded by carf.

We would very much appreciate your feedback in our simple, ten question Children At Risk – Charity Participation Survey, which will help us to implement more effective public participation and support for our programmes with at-risk children in Brazil.

Thank you for your co-operation!

THE WAR OF THE SILENT

2005-08-20T05:04:00.000-03:00

The War of the Silent, originally uploaded by carf.

It’s been exactly a year now since the night slaughter of innocent street dwellers took place in the city centre of São Paulo.

Seven people who lived on the streets were finally put out of their misery, using the most disgusting means ever by their unidentified attackers. The motivations for these brutal killings have still not been identified.

At the time, the Secretary of Public Security, Saulo de Castro Abreu Filho, promised that the case would be resolved within thirty days (Hah! That was a good one!!!)
More than 110 witnesses have since been heard and the only three real suspects have already been released for lack of evidence, according to the Public Ministry’s office.

Those sordid acts against our street dwellers happened between the 19th and 22nd of August, 2004. The seven who died were all slain with heavy blows to the head, whilst another eight were seriously wounded.

The police suspected that the massacre had some connection with drug trafficking in the central region of the city and over territorial disputes, but this theory was never confirmed.

There was even strong enough evidence that the police themselves were involved, even to the stage of two of them being held prison, together with a colleague, only later to be released. In November, the Public Ministry’s office considered that the evidence was insufficient to hold them and they were subsequently released.

The Public Ministry realises that such a long delay in getting this case resolved only makes things worse for the entire investigation. "Time is always the best friend of the criminal", said District Attorney, Carlos Cardoso yesterday, representing the Human Rights Office of the Chief Procurator of Justice.

So whilst we pressure for a solution for this case, suddenly there comes to light the assasination of yet another street dweller in March this year, this time it was one of those who had witnessed the second attack on his street colleagues in August 2004.

Four policemen are being held, accused of committing this crime in March, and, according to investigations, this case has surely something to do with the massacre in August last year.

According to chief inspector, Luiz Fernando Lopes Teixeira, there have so far been six suspects identified for the attacks, who probably acted together with the policemen and a security guard. Teixeira confirms that the six suspects are all part of a group involved in drug trafficking, extortion and homicide in the city centre.

14-year old Elton (above), was not on the streets at the time, although he was in the process of leaving the streets. As with most street kids he was found a pest and a plague to some people, but I just won’t accept that was enough to justify his senseless death, shot at close range in the chest. The image of his dead body on the grass banks of the peaceful reservoir, close-by to our Hummingbird Centre, is still branded in my mind. His and all the others who have followed him during these last few years.
The above image, even though I have done my best to disguise its ugliness, is a shocking testimony of the fact that they still shoot kids in Brazil.

They still carry on murdering innocent human beings with their deranged reasons, and as long as there is no justice this image will repeat itself, time and time again!

We know who shot Elton, they know who killed the seven street dwellers in the city centre... - but do they really care?????

Please visit:
FORSAKEN BY SOCIETY TRILOGY - PEOPLE

UNITED CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

CHILDHOPE - WAKE UP MY BRAZIL!

2005-08-06T22:28:00.000-03:00

Our socio-cultural partners from Rio de Janeiro, Grupo Cultural AfroReggae during a rehearsal for Globo Television’s mega show, ChildHope.

Hopefully we will overcome this traumatic experience and carry on believing that our social investment in them is all worth our efforts.

I’m writing this in a moment of utter despair, disappointment and embarrassment on behalf of not only the kids of Hummingbird but also all the other children at risk in this country.

If you have been following recent developments at Hummingbird you will have noticed that our cultural group is supposed to be participating in the mega television show, Criança Esperança (ChildHope), which goes live on TVGlobo tonight.
The show, now in its 20th year running and supported by UNESCO, unites some of the most well known television artists and social entities in Brazil in an effort to raise funds for children’s social development programmes throughout the country.

Our participation was fundamental to the further development of our objectives in the Brazilian socio-cultural arena. A major door opener to say the least!

Until the general rehearsals yesterday, everything was going as planned. Thousands of dollars invested by TVGlobo to secure the necessary infrastructure and quality of our mini-spectacular. Visits by their TV crew to make the video documentary to be shown just before our live appearance. Thousands invested by us in terms of equipment and very hard work during the more than 50 rehearsals these last few weeks.

TVGlobo’s filmtake for their video clip during a capoeira session and a rehearsal of our mini musical spectacular, which was supposed to be part of tonight’s mega show.

Being collected by the luxury coach contracted by TVGlobo was a most uplifting experience, raising the self-esteem even higher of our kids, who were full of energy and expectations on their way to the grand stage where the event is to take place. Even though we thought it a little luxurious for such a short trip, money that could have been spent better in our own programme, as we were already very accustomed to a simpler means of transport.

Then on arrival, VIP treatment and checking in for our ID-cards, quite necessary in a show that involves nearly 800 people alone on the production side and more than 300 children and young people making appearances during the show. We were 53 of those!
I was then shown the costumes prepared by Globo’s costume department for our Band and Breakdance group. Very nice too!

Our group of happy children and young people arriving at the premises of the Criança Esperança (ChildHope), ready for the mega show in São Paulo.

Then began the waiting, hours and hours of waiting, quite normal in most mega events of this nature and we were all prepared for that. We thought we were waiting for something good and judging from the immensity of everything surrounding the event, we would be in for something really great!
We were in for a surprise, a very big surprise indeed!!!

To make good use of waiting time we decided to get the kids prepared for their last rehearsal so that we would be ready on the moment our turn arrived. We noticed that the effective use of time was essential to get through all the details of this mega event. Rehearsals for the rest of the show had been going on for three days already and now it was our big day.

Then suddenly, out of the blue, comes the artistic director and calls me aside to tell me that due to some harsh disagreements between their production team and their production director, we would no longer be presenting our musical mini-spectacular, which had been timed in to four minutes exactly and neatly fitting the space reserved for our participation. Also our 6 drummers, who were supposed to be backing the next vocal artist, Marcelo Yuka, to present after us would not be taking place. The only interest for the director at this moment was that I do a live interview with Chico Pinheiro connected to our video clip.

My reaction ofcourse was total distress!

I couldn’t believe my ears. Gladly I am not weak at heart; otherwise I would have had a heart attack there and then!
I needed an explanation but nobody could or would give me one. We were simply left in the blue by the entire production team of this event, which is supposed to be the most prestigious public fundraising event to benefit at-risk children in this country. I was suddenly in the middle of a traumatic experience, which I knew would have dramatic consequences for some of our kids. This event was about to neglect the realization of their dreams. An incredible socially irresponsible action was about to be comitted by the people who are supposed to represent exactly the opposite.

Then began the tiring and frustrating work to discover what was actually going on and why we would not even have the chance to put our foot on that magnificent stage to test the results of our efforts and to share the same space with mega stars such as the likes of Sandy and Junior, Xuxa, Roberto Carlos, Renato Arragão, Zeca Pagodinho and many more.
Why had we suddenly, without warning, been cut-off??? Our last rehearsal for the programme’s Artistic Director at Hummingbird had been highly praised by her, as it also was by Globo’s famous newscaster and programme presenter, Chico Pinheiro, who was responsible for Hummingbird’s video clip. For the sake of all those patiently waiting kids of mine I desperately needed to turn this situation round.

Globo Television’s journalist and news presenter (newscaster), Chico Pinheiro and Criança Esperança’s (ChildHope) Artistic Director, Emília Silveira, check through the latest itinerary details regarding our participation in the programme during a rehearsal at the Hummingbird Activity Centre.

It seemed there was total caos between the people involved in this production and we had been suddenly removed because there was either no time left for our participation or our content matter was too politically disturbing for the likes of this most politically powerful TV station in Brazil, or the fact that the production director, incredibly enough, seemed uninformed of our existence.

Attempts to convince him otherwise by members of the production team and other influential people involved in the programme and the chance for us to at least present our spectacular on stage in a single rehearsal, even if it still meant cancelling our participation for whatever reason he decided was best, failed, one after the other. The guy running this joint was a total dictator and unfortunately hierarchical governance is pretty well imbedded in this society, which still leaves its kids abandoned on the streets and more than half the population destitute in utmost poverty!

Well, several hours later we got his final conclusion; he knew nothing of our participation and there was no room any longer for a four-minute spectacular, no matter who was presenting.
Did I believe this was really happening to us? My kids were all sitting in the grandstand still awaiting their rehearsal; they had already sensed there was something wrong.
My God! Can you imagine their faces when I broke the final decision by the production director, who was coward enough to not stand in front of them to explain exactly why they had wasted weeks of their time investing in a magnificent music spectacular that only they can put enough soul into to make it hit rock bottom in the hearts of every single one of those 65 million TV spectators who will be watching the show tonight.

Youth members of the Banda AfroReggae from Rio de Janeiro rehearse for tonight’s performance on Globo TV’s mega show, ChildHope.

I can assure you that I have seldom felt greater frustration than this moment in my 52-year lifespan and I have cried most of the night trying to figure out what went wrong. Nothing ever surprises me anymore regarding the negligence of the Brazilian people shown towards their children. I suppose that’s why we still have thousands and thousands of street kids in this country.

Today I have spent most of my day in long meetings with all the kids involved together with their families to begin the difficult job of treating a most unexpected trauma caused by the irresponsibility of a programme supposed to help at-risk kids believe in a better future. If this is the future Brazil is creating for its children, then God help us!

The images shown here are among the few I took during rehearsals (I lost my appetite entirely!), and were only taken because they represent the kids we believe in so much and who have been role models for our own kids at Hummingbird. The youth of the AfroReggae Cultural Group, our socio-cultural partners in Rio, have managed to come a long way during their 12 years of fighting for a better future for Rio’s favela kids.
When we left the premises in utter dispair, the kids of AfroReggae came in full strength to comfort our kids who were completely dejected by what had just happened. They will be well represented during the mega show tonight, where undoubtably their presence represents the best of Brazilian socio-culture.

“Hold your heads high kids!” said their lead guitarist, “because you are mightier than these people!”
“Don’t let them destroy you because you have so much going for you!”
“Stay strong and fight for everything you believe in because it is the only way we will change this mad world to become a better place for all of us!”

Thank you friends for that valuable moment, it is only people like you, who have shared the same suffering as my kids have who understand how damaging such an experience can be. It is thanks to you guys that they will hopefully overcome this traumatic experience and carry on believing in our social investment in them.

I finish off this rather long text with some words from the chorus line of our spectacular that didn’t quite find a stage:

Wake up my Brazil... Wake up my Brazil... Wake up my Brazil, the people need some hope.
Wake up my Brazil... Fighting to achieve some change.

(Acorda meu Brasil... Acorda meu Brasil... Acorda meu Brasil, o povo está precisando de esperança.
Acorda meu Brasil... Lutando se consegue uma mudança.)

From one of our many rehearsals for the mega show commemorating 20 years of Criança Esperança (ChildHope) on Globo Television.

See the slide show from our photo series about Criança Esperança (ChildHope)

NOTE.
Incredibly, at 4pm today, yet another luxury coach arrived at Hummingbird to transport our kids to the show they are no longer to participate in. TVGlobo had obviously forgotten to cancel the coach, which wasted yet another 300 dollars of donor’s money, reaped in from all the innocent believing tele spectators of this gigantic farce.

CRIANÇA ESPERANÇA - CHILDHOPE

2005-07-30T20:48:00.000-03:00

Criança Esperança - ChildHope, originally uploaded by carf.

Hummingbird flies across Brazil, spreading its wings to convey “A Child’s View”

Hummingbird’s Cultural Group is to participate in the traditional, Nation-wide Brazilian Television programme called “Criança Esperança” (ChildHope), organized by the prestigious TV Globo and UNESCO. More than 50 children and young people are representing Hummingbird at the event, which goes live on Saturday night, August 6th., in a mini musical spectacular called “A Child’s View”.

The Banda Beija-Flor is honoured to present their self-composed music, which conducts the emotional 4-minute musical, entirely conceived by our children – the real Hummingbirds of our “Hope”, and which combines Hummingbird’s regular activities such as Break-dance, Guitar, Percussion and Capoeira.

The performance illustrates the biography of thousands of street children, whom lost and alone wander the pathways of an unjust Brazil, their views and sentiments constantly searching for comprehension, only to find prejudice and abandonment.

An open-air rehearsal takes place on the football grounds in front of the Hummingbird Activity Centre in connection with TV Globo's filmtake to be used during their Nation-wide programme, Criança Esperança on 6th. August.

Hummingbird’s positive actions wake in them a new life; a dignified life deserved by any human being. However, the main target of our message is each and every one of us because WE are the one's who really need to wake up, to do our share.

Therefore our chorus-line is: Wake up my Brazil!

Applaud, watch and sing with us!

HUMMINGBIRD SPREADS ITS WINGS

2005-07-28T15:27:00.000-03:00

Clearing new terrain. - The hard-working foot of 7-year old José Roberto.

Taking Hummingbird to the community instead of the community coming to us

Last week was the start-off for a new development in the Hummingbird Project called Beija-Flor na Comunidade (Hummingbird in the Community), which literally means we took Hummingbird to the community instead of the community come to us. In other words, Hummingbird is spreading its wings!

The programme is part of a new strategy being developed by our youth mentors to get a preliminary feel in connection with their objectives to implant small Hummingbird nuclei in the more distant parts of our community, thus bringing our activities to the poorest kids who have no means of reaching our main centre.

The first community to be receiving some of Hummingbird’s vibrant activities was the Sitio Joaninha, which is a rough hilly area about 6 kilometres away from us, where many of the families who used to work on the rubbish tip live. The tip was closed down a few years ago and the area covered with topsoil so as to recuperate some of the natural vegetation.

Most of the shanty homes were constructed during the active years of the tip, when entire families found their livelihoods under the most unhealthy and hazardous working conditions. Since its closure there has been very few alternatives in the way of work and habitation, so very few have been able to move to better conditions. To the contrary; the area has rapidly grown to accommodate even more poverty-stricken families who have no other alternative than to grab a small plot of land and try to survive on what little is available in terms of public amenities in such places.

The majority of homes have no running water and depend on the council delivering drinking water by truck each day. Electricity is acquired through a series of illegal connections, which people have hooked-up to the main electricity network through a maze of literally thousands of metres of wiring crossing the landscape in all directions in order to bring power to one’s home.
This is quite common during the rapid growth of favela (shanty) areas and pressures from the inhabitants will eventually cause most councils to come up with a more satisfactory and less risky solution.

7-year old José Roberto was so happy to hear about Hummingbird coming to his community that he was more than willing to leave his kites behind to help out with the hard work of cleaning up an area for our visit. He was obviously pretty used to this kind of "job" as you will gather from the main photo of his foot

Bruno (right), is our youngest youth mentor and although only 18 years old he has already gained considerable experience teaching the children at Hummingbird on the instrument he himself has grown up with, the Brazilian cavaquinho, traditionally used in Samba.

Under very simple conditions and a low-cost structure we were able to let the children “travel” to their own colourful dreamland. It wasn’t long before the children were entirely engulfed in the enchanted new world of Hummingbird, an unknown experience for many of them.

7-year old José Roberto exchanges his shovel for a cavaquinho and discovers the joys of music.

The children of Sitio Joaninha welcome Hummingbird to their community. Their expectations were as expected and many kids had already turned up early in the morning to wait for the Hummingbird Bus to arrive.

The fuel of our programme is the satisfaction seen on the faces of the children receiving our attention, like the boy above, who's self-esteem certainly rose during his solo performance as a young rapper.

Here are some of our youth multipliers and scholarship holders who make up the AfroBreak dance group at Hummingbird. They are a pretty energetic group of youngsters who are more than dedicated to what they practice, which is mainly Break dancing, and love teaching others too.

Here, one of our youth mentors, Davi (left) from the Banda Beija-Flor, discusses their new proposal with inhabitants of the area, who have gathered to clear an open piece of land to facilitate our activites there.

Many of the children who live here have a long way to walk to reach school, as there is no public transport. The tendency is therefore not to go, especially during the rainy or colder seasons. Very few have the willpower or even the means of getting to Hummingbird to participate in all the good things we have to offer in our Street Migration Prevention Programme, although there are some who do.

This is the main reason for us to bring Hummingbird to the kids. If we can manage to finance a more permanent solution we will be able to continue with a variety of activities throughout the entire year and not just during the school holiday season as is this experience.

CHILDHOPE - CRIANÇA ESPERANÇA

2005-07-17T10:39:00.000-03:00

Kids of Hummingbird vibrate to the Reggae rhythms of the popular group Alma d’Jem during the making of their latest Video Clip, Nothing is Greater Than Love at our prevention center in São Paulo.

Wake up my Brazil! Wake up my Brazil! Our people need some hope.

This week we were delighted to receive positive confirmation from the prestigious Brazilian TV Globo that Hummingbird will be participating in their traditional and equally prestigious mega show called Criança Esperança, which unites some of the best in Brazilian entertainment in their annual effort to raise funds through the media to support social development programmes for underprivileged children in Brazil.

The programme is a partnership between TV Globo and UNESCO and this year marks the 20th. Anniversary of the quality show, which has since its beginnings received more than USD$50 million in donations, invested in more than 4.750 social development projects and NGO’s.

Criança Esperança has contributed towards bettering the lives of approx. 3 million children and young people, by helping to reduce infant mortality, child labour and sexual exploitation. Part of the funding has also gone towards helping at-risk youth by preparing them for a more professional job market.

Our emblem of the street kid lying on the Brazilian flag and rescued by the actions of the Hummingbird will be the central theme in the 4-minute mini-spectacular, presented by the children and young people of the Hummingbird Activity Centre. We are planning to unite classical tones from famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s immortal Peer Gynt Suites, together with percussion rhythms from our Banda Beija-Flor, combining theatrical elements with break dancing and capoeira by respectively our break dance group, Afro-Break, and Capoeira Beija-Flor.

Our Banda Beija-Flor are responsible for the music in the presentation of our mini spectacular during the Criança Esperança Show on Globo TV.

We expect to offer viewers an emotional and most memorable experience, which will hopefully contribute towards an even better result for the 20th. edition of this most popular programme.

By the way, if you would like to support us in this action by making a quick USD$10 donation using the link at the bottom of this page, we will send you a beautiful coloured enamel pin with the above emblem, like the example here, only smaller.
Just remember to include your name and address on the Pay Pal contribution page. We will certainly be grateful for the faith you show in our kids

YOUR GREATEST INVESTMENT IS OUR CHILDREN

2005-07-04T18:22:00.000-03:00

Your greatest investment is our children - III
Originally uploaded by carf.

I mean damn it, they still shoot kids in Brazil, don’t they!

These positively joyful faces and colours make me really happy and give me strength, so much happiness and so much strength!
But then I ask myself; how long can we keep them so positive? How long can we hold their heads high above the tormented waters that constantly surround them?

In a society that has nothing to offer to an impoverished and underprivileged kid, a society that has forgotten its own children..., Hummingbird means an entire world!

So, if there is so little hope in such a society, how then can we keep them off the streets? Why? Is it at all possible to raise their hopes and create opportunities for a better and more optimistic future for these kids, even if they see no light in the end of the dark tunnel?

We believe so, ...and they believe us!

Sometimes I get so frightened just thinking of what the future has in store for each and every one of these kids, and even more so when I realize how much they believe and trust in us. If I think too hard about it then I loose my sleep because I too have to face the facts of life, facts that are more than enough to destroy whatever little optimism one is able to mobilize in oneself. I mean damn it, they still shoot kids in Brazil, don’t they!

So what are the real values in life for us human beings? I also ask myself that question, time and time again! But I get no real answers because real answers for me can only be found in terms of concrete human actions. Sorry to say, tangible actions are something we lack in this country, where words still hang loose on the slippery tongues of those who govern it. A country that still accepts the fact that hundreds of thousands of kids sleep out on the streets in the big cities every single night, instead of living and smiling like the kids in our photos do, kids who live and smile for each new day because we give them something to believe in and to live for.

Your greatest and most important investment is in our children.

So why does our government not do the same? Why does our population simply accept the fact and turn a blind eye?

What we at Hummingbird use in an entire year to keep each of our kids off the streets, the government uses each week to incarcerate kids who are in conflict with the law, locked away in public reform centers, better known as criminal high schools. We actually use a great deal of our taxpayer’s money to train hardened criminals in Brazil, certainly not to recuperate them!

Just take a look at this photo and others in our Gallery, then tell me who’s losing out in this game! If you think we’re worth the small investment needed to keep a kid off the streets instead of in and out of the state sponsored criminal high schools, then simply go ahead and do your little bit at the bottom of this page, your concrete little monthly action!

We need you and so do our kids, because if we are to wait for government reforms to do the job, we too will end up joining the ranks of our kids on the losing end!

IN MY DREAM...

2005-07-01T00:58:00.000-03:00

in my dream...
Originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

This is yet another of those wonderful photos taken at the last event in the series of Urban Outcries, by our volunteer photographer and humble friend Tatiana Cardeal.
This image is totally in contrast to what was actually going on outside our own front doorstep that evening. Read the article below to see the reality we have to face in our daily work to protect community kids from such absurd violence.

... IN MY DREAM

2005-06-29T12:02:00.000-03:00

... in my dream
Originally uploaded by Tatiana Cardeal.

During the Urban Outcries programme on social communication there were also happy and optimistic moments like the one pictured here, captured by our highly talented volunteer photographer, Tatiana Cardeal

WILL THE KILLINGS NEVER CEASE?

2005-06-28T11:32:00.000-03:00

This symbolic graveyard was an installation mounted by the kids of the Hummingbird F.C. in connection with our Social Communication Programme, URBAN OUTCRIES

Each cross and each gravestone represents an unreasonable reason for dying.

The theme for this edition of the Urban Outcries programme on social communication was Small Firearms and their consequences on society.

The children and young people attended by CARF’s Street Migration Prevention Programme are just too familiar with the consequences of small firearms in their own communities, most of them having already lost members of their own families. They know only too well, all the ridiculous reasons by which their loved ones fell victims to small firearms.

In any of those cases, could the tragic consequence be justified by the reason? We doubt very much so!

To emphasize the facts surrounding this simple but effective installation and to add to the dreadful statistics, on the very evening of the Urban Outcries programme; 5..., yes, five kids between the age of 14 and 18 were shot dead by the police only 3kms from us!

14-year old Thiago was the older brother of Jonathan, one of our capoeira kids, the son of one of our mothers.

Just another mourning mother to add to the long list of mothers who have already lost their loved ones. A scene from the theatrical performance done by mothers of children attended by the Hummingbird Project – Photo by Tatiana Cardeal

Thiago ran for his life together with several other colleagues when the police suddenly invaded their favela in search of a particular drug trafficker. Their hiding under a bed in one of the shacks did not protect them; neither did the gun that one of the kids had on him. The police shot them all dead during their frantic human hunt without even knowing why, simply five more unreasonable reasons to add to our symbolic cemetery.

Below are just some of the phrases left on the gravestones by our kids. You can read more unreasonable reasons for dying on the other images in the Urban Outcries series on our Flickr FotoBlog

(Eu acho que ela foi criada para manter a paz.)
“I thought it was made to maintain peace.”

(É minha! Você pode usar.)
“It’s mine! But you can use it.”

(Olha o que o papai esqueceu ali!)
“Look what daddy forgot there!”

(Sempre a carrego comigo!)
“I always carry it on me!”

(Não quero nem saber, não é meu filho!)
“I don’t want to know, he’s not my son!”

(Agora eu tenho respeito!)
“Now I have respect!”

(Comprei uma arma, agora me sinto seguro.)
“I bought a gun, so now I’m safe.”

(Agora quero ver quem mexe comigo.)
“I’d like to see who’d mess with me now.”

(Eu vou me defender!)
“I’ll defend myself!”

(Não penso assim, acredito que elas possam nos ajudar!)
“I don’t think so; I believe they can help us!”

(Quero ver quem leva uma comigo!)
“Who’ll be first for the taking!”

Will the killings never cease?

A BOY CALLED ALBERTO

2005-06-04T11:49:00.000-03:00

Alberto - I
Originally uploaded by carf.

We are his parachute and safety net in rough storms

Alberto is ten years old. He lives with his father alone. His father drinks too much and that leaves Alberto in rather a delicate situation. His mother he does not know, she’s been in prison too long, since he was small, because she killed a pregnant woman. Alberto reckons she will spend thirty years there.

Alberto balances between many uncertainties with his father, who puts strict but inconsequent limitations on him, depending on his own state of mind. Things like not letting him go to school or participate in activities at Hummingbird. Alberto is still too young to go against his dad in situations like these, but the time will come as he grows.

It’s important we follow-up a kid like Alberto, who stands in danger of hitting the streets in a tough way. We are his parachute and safety net in rough storms, that’s important, it prevents him from becoming yet another street kid.

The mark on his throat was his drunk dad last night.

I captured this shot at the end of the afternoon, whilst Alberto was in my office explaining why he couldn't make it to school or Hummingbird today. He stood by my side and suddenly the sun was there, shining its golden light on his story, bringing some warmth into his otherwise rather cold life. That made me feel happy and now it has made him feel happy too, as he sits here by the side of my computer and sees that there are so many people in the world who care about him. His photo received 50 visits within the first 15 minutes of uploading to our gallery on Flickr and he couldn't believe that there were so many people who would care about him.

That's a real good reason to put a smile on his face.
Another good reason is that this photo represents our 1000th. image uploaded to our Flickr Photo Gallery, so now we’re smiling too.

Thanks for all the visits! More than 24.000 during the last four months

Preventive work is our most important investment today and like most preventive actions, it turns out much cheaper in the long run. Much cheaper than rescuing a kid once he’s lost to the streets. The Hummingbird Project attends 600 kids today, many of them in the same situation as Alberto. If we can save these kids from hitting the streets, we haven’t only done them a big favour; we have also saved the Brazilian society for another great big headache, on top of all the other headaches this country is suffering from.

If you visit our gallery you will see that there is a smile appearing on Alberto’s face. It is a sign of hope. Like most of the kids we work with, it represents their hope of better future.

SURVIVING THE STREETS OF BRAZIL

2005-04-13T23:08:00.000-03:00

Roney shows off some new additions to his growing collection of street scars, irremovable “souvenirs” that will accumulate on his fragile body as long as he is on the streets.

**“A childhood is not lived without consequences, among the poor Capitães de Areia boys. Even when afterwards you are to be an artist and not a thief, a murderer or a rascal.” – Jorge Amado**

During the delicate phase of motivating a child to leave the streets for good, their worries become our worries. Will they survive the time they will need to reach this important turning point in their lives? Each individual child hides an anonymous history, with debts that some day will have to be paid. For a child trying to survive the mean streets of Brazil, he would be safer riding a wild horse at rodeo.

Their involvement with the underworld and its multiple selection of criminal activities guarantees that sooner or later these kids will end up spending a good part of their childhood in one of the infamous reform institutions or youth detention centres called FEBEM, or better known as “schools” for developing young, aspiring criminals! That is, if they don’t first reach heaven’s doors, as many of their colleagues inevitably will or already have done.

For any loving parent, who lives to protect and provide for their own kin, trying to comprehend what these kids go through on the streets becomes an impossible, surrealistic task. Trying to understand how anyone is capable of inflicting such terrible pain or even killing a child abandoned to the streets, is beyond any normal, caring citizen’s imagination.

Observing the scars left on his frail body, I could only imagine the intense battle Roney must have fought to avoid getting stabbed in a more “strategic” place by that butcher’s knife held in the hands of somebody far worse than any butcher we might happen to know. Had it not been for his well-trained agility, something most kids on the street possess as part of their survival game, I’m quite sure that the outcome of that situation would have ended up in the butcher’s favour.

Hearing Roney tell his incredible story makes me question once again, how on earth any child, who knows and feels the pain inflicted by such episodes, can still have the courage to carry on such a tormented lifestyle, especially when a positive alternative is close-at-hand. Then I quickly remember past experiences and realise the considerable amount of work that lies ahead of us if we are to counterbalance all that is negative in this child’s young life.

To facilitate their own vision, I often try to get street kids to visualize their own lives as a set of weighing scales. On the one side there is a dish, overflowing with negative experiences, which their past has accumulated. On the opposite side, a rather empty dish, with plenty of space for the unknown, many positive things to come. These scales represent a constant battle they are fighting, between the good and the bad, and it is our job to counterbalance all those antagonising experiences by providing security through the loving and caring that any decent human being is capable of giving, combined with basic norms for living a dignified lifestyle with necessary consequences, either positive or negative, depending on their own actions.

As time passes, the rather empty dish on the one side of our imaginary scale begins to outweigh the heavier dish on the other side, because, as with the bad memories in life, nobody can take away from us the positive experiences. Little by little, the good will overcome the bad, if not only in the imagination, ploughing the way to begin the real work recuperating a street child.

Roney, a street kid lost to the world.
Only time (and a great deal of effort and patience by those who are willing to take him on) will change his pathway and lead him on to a new lifestyle.

The essence of our work lies in the interest taken in and the knowledge of the personal situation of each child or young person right from the first moment he or she is in contact with our organisation.

Kids of the streets have a lot of affection for any stray animals they might come across, whom they immediately "adopt" to keep them company.

Brothers, 12-year-old Claudiney and 11-year-old Roney. Two street children among many, but will they survive?

Roney sometimes visits Hummingbird together with his cousin Alex, who is also on the streets.

Rather tough smiles coming from Roney and Claudiney, two lives in transition at Hummingbird.

No matter how difficult their lives can be, there's always room for having some extra fun.

Roney clings on to what he believes is the only innocent love he can find in his tormented life.

As with the bad memories in life, nobody can take away from Roney and Claudiney the positive experiences.

There is an introductory article about Roney and Claudiney elsewhere in our WeBlog. Hopefully there will be more positive developments to report later on.

Why not light a candle in your home, to represent a child in our Street Migration Prevention Programme in need of your support. The Hummingbird Activity Centre conducts a socially responsible proposal and needs your support. You can make a simple, safe online contribution by clicking here. All donations to our Street Children's Memorial Fund support this programme.

CARF DOCUMENTARY MEETS HEAVY COMPETITION.

2005-02-10T15:52:00.000-02:00

CARF's founder, Gregory Smith, on a home visit to some of the children in the Hummingbird Programme.

NRK - Norwegian National Television's Documentary attracts many viewers, inbetween tragic scenes of the Tsunami disaster.

Unfortunately, NRK’s documentary film about CARF’s decade of work with street children and other children at risk in Brazil was shadowed by the terrible world tragedy of the Asian Tsunami. Nevertheless, the film attracted a large number of viewers on Norwegian Television and judging from their reactions posted to the online chat session immediately following the programme, the film was a great success.

The film covered not only the happy moments of the past, but also sad ones, like the death of Diego, Gregory's first "adopted" son from the streets, who was murdered by thugs only a year ago.

Diego's story is an example of how frustrating the work can be, recuperating street children in Brazil. Read more about him by clicking on the Diptych above.

But there were also success stories like the one about Robison below, who after having left a life abandoned on the streets in 1998, has managed to find new values through the opportunities offered by CARF's programmes at the Hummingbird Activity Centre in São Paulo, Brazil.

Robison's story is an example of how successful our work recuperating street children in Brazil can also be. Read more about him by clicking on the Diptych above.

The following were extracts from the online chat session immediately following the TV viewing of the film:

I watched the programme and just wanted to tell you how fantastic I think the work you are doing is!! - Anne-Lise

Congratulations with your fantastic efforts for children in Brazil. I sometimes travel to Brazil in connection with my job, mostly to Rio. Do you have plans to expand to Rio? As you well know, the necessities are enormous there too. I really hope you get a lot of support from the business community in the future and that there is just as much focus on Brasil's poverty as there is on the situation in SE Asia... - A Brazil Friend.

We must say what a fabulous job you have done and we can see that you have achieved much more than we would have expected in a country like Brazil. - Jarl and Gill who co-operate with another children's project in Bahia.

I watched the TV-programme about your work and I must say what a strong impression it made on me. To see helpless, hungry and abandoned children rise again and win back their dignity because of ONE man was really a moving experience. KEEP GOING! A donation towards your work is worth every cent! - Kenneth.

I must take my hat off for you. What you have achieved is truly wonderful and I admire you a great deal. I would love to follow in your footsteps and do something similar because you are an inspiration for our youth. - Lea.

Just wanted to say that I think what you have accomplished in Brazil deserves the peace prize. Really fantastic what you have done!!.. - Sammy

You really are doing a wonderful job. Even if we can't all do the same thing as you did, the least we can do is support your actions! - Sigrid

I just wanted to say that it was fantastic to see the work you are doing for kids in Brazil! It's really good to know that someone dares to take on such an enterprise as you have done - and that it's all worth the effort. Both me and my family were deeply moved by what we saw on TV yesterday. - Tove.

I myself work as a team leader in a child welfare institution - but the work you are doing is so very far from whatever I will ever be able to accomplish. I bow down in the dust and wish you every good wish and fortune in your life. The world's children need people like yourself. - Trond

The documentary can be viewed online at the NRK web site (in Norwegian).The programme series is called FAKTOR and the programme date 10.01.05 titled "Kolibrimannen".

Enjoy the film!

To read about the background and making of this film, please visit an earlier article on this Blog called, “FOLLOW-UP BY NORWEGIAN TV”

BATIZADO de CAPOEIRA BEIJA-FLOR

2005-01-31T08:52:00.000-02:00

Mestre Chumbinho from the Grupo Angolinha grins elusivly at his opponent from Capoeira Beija-Flor.

Capoeira is a genuinely Brazilian tradition, a blend of art, sport, martial arts skills, dance, folklore, theatre and philosophy.

The Rescue Programme for street children developed by CARF, included from its inception in 1993, the continuous and effective use of Capoeira and its methodology as an important rehabilitation tool.

The levels reached were surprisingly advanced which alerted us to the enormous value of Capoeira, also as a positive prevention tool. This long-term experience was one of the governing factors that inspired us to create the Humming Bird Activity Centre, where today our Academy Capoeira Beija-Flor is probably the most popular of all our activities, with the largest number of pupils and the longest waiting list.

The efficiency of capoeira in social development programmes is due to its wide-ranging scope to involve the lives of the children and young people participating. It is a complete discipline including the use of rules, philosophy, positive group ethics, physical condition and values of self-esteem. The International Olympics Committee considers it the only Brazilian martial art.

On 30th.January 2005 our Centro de Capoeira Beija-Flor held its traditional Capoeira Batizado or graduation ceremony, where more than 60 children and young people graduated to a higher level in this remarkable art. Around 300 people attended the event, including family members, friends and community, capoeira enthusiasts and masters from other academies who also participated during the actual ceremony.

See the photo display from yesterday’s event to get a better understanding of the importance of Capoeira in our programme.

THE COLIBRI MAN (“Kolibrimannen”)

2005-01-14T10:00:00.000-02:00

Gregory Smith was the target for a new documentary film made by Norwegian National Television (NRK 1), screened last Monday.

Norwegian National Television.

“FAKTOR” - NRK 1, Monday, January 10th. at 19.55hrs. or online now!

NRK’s follow-up on Gregory Smith and CARF’s decade of work with street children and other at-risk children in Brazil, is the latest documentary film in NRK’s weekly series “FAKTOR”. “Colibri Man” is a strong and emotional film about a man who has shown that it is possible to turn street children from “cockroaches” into unique and beautiful Hummingbirds.

In the left photo, Sandra is seen sitting on a park bench on the famous Praça da Sé in São Paulo, surrounded by other abandoned street children. That was back in 1993, when she spent almost three years of her life living on the streets. Today, she lives an independent life together with her husband Marcio and their little son Patrick.

In FAKTOR subject matter is important, and is focused on through the stories of engaged individuals who’s lives and experiences evolve around the subject matter. Through journalistic focusing, FAKTOR brings viewers closer to these people, their pursuits and the environments which they live and work in, so that their stories are given a wider perspective than just one of individual destiny. FAKTOR’s choice of theme and personality offers insight into a unique milieu and normally invites the viewers to reflect over the stories being told, which are usually anchored in Norwegian reality to create easy identification and recognition. They also tell us something about the country they represent.

The film is now available for online viewing on the NRK web site (in Norwegian).The programme series is called FAKTOR and the programme date 10.01.05.

Enjoy the film!

In connection with the film screening, the Norwegian Newspaper, BT-Bergens Tidende is running an online chat/discussion session with Gregory Smith, starting on Tuesday, January 11th. at 13.00hrs. Here you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the theme or person depicted in NRK’s documentary film.

CLICK HERE to send your message or question to Gregory Smith or to read exsisting messages. You may write Norwegian, English or Portuguese.

To read about the background and making of this film, please visit an earlier article on this Blog called, “FOLLOW-UP BY NORWEGIAN TV”

WHAT’S OUR GREATEST WISH FOR 2005?

2005-01-02T21:59:00.000-02:00

What more heavenly wish could one dream for than a capacity building scholarship to help us to realise our objectives!

“We aim to raise the number of Capacity Building Scholarships for the children and young people of Hummingbird.”

In the traditional sense, one definition by Western standards, a scholarship may be a financial reward/grant to attend a school, generally college. CARF’s Scholarship Programme is unique and aims to preserve the positive development of a safe and healthy environment for at-risk children and youth, safeguarding the process of growing up to become responsible and productive citizens. For underprivileged community children or former street kids, a scholarship signifies a whole new world of possibilities at the Hummingbird Activity Centre, besides assuring their basic education.

In 2004, we managed 20 scholarships supported by either private individuals or organizations. Our aim is to triple that number by the end of 2005. If you would like to help us then please read on!

In a nurturing environment for musical, artistic and cultural development, scholarships help our children to realise their objectives.

In Brazil, social training and educational programmes have today become essential in facilitating the "safe passage" to socially constructive adulthoods for potentially delinquent children and adolescents from underprivileged communities, which far too often cultivate antisocial forms of behaviour. Building on the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”, such programmes intend to integrate psychosocial activities into a child's basic education and are essential if high-risk children and youth are to establish or maintain the “basic trust” in adult authority that is considered to underlie successful social adaptation.

Célio was once an impoverished kid growing up in the famous “Moro de Cantegalo” favela in Rio de Janeiro. Today, thanks to the support he received, he is a flourishing artist with a great future.

Good examples of communities with NGO’s involved, successfully creating safe environments for at-risk children and adolescents, are today becoming more common in and around the big Brazilian cities. Local governments are also becoming aware of their importance and some are now supporting such initiatives.

Unfortunately not all children from at-risk communities have regular access to such healthy environments as offered by CARF’s Hummingbird Activity Centre, which not only offers self-awareness, self-love, and self-esteem, but also guarantees the child’s moral and emotional intelligence by building development assets in young people based on the categories of support, empowerment, boundaries, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. These important factors in the process of growing up to become successful young adults are essential if we are to combat degeneration in such societies. This process not only needs time and patience, but also financial support to thrive and this is where you our supporters can really make a difference!

Concentration and self-esteem need to be strengthened in many of our children and most activities at Hummingbird are beneficial in that direction. Likewise, Capoeira combines all aspects of art, music, theatre and movement. It is the complete sport. Check out our web site at: Capoeira Beija-Flor

CARF’s Children & Youth Capacity Building Scholarships contain the following elements:

Scholarship recipients must participate an average of 20 hours per week in a CARF sponsored development programme. Attendance and participation is monitored and recorded weekly.

They must maintain the regular public school attendance of up to 20 hours per week.

Scholarships are used to pay for their educational materials, travel costs on public transportation and other personal necessities. In addition, they help pay for supplementary external activities or educational courses, which are crucial in enhancing future job and life opportunities.

Scholarships can also assist with some family expenses such as part of the electric bill or basic foodstuffs, which is often expected from teenagers in the family structure once they reach a “working” age.

By helping to contribute to the family expenses, this also helps take family pressures off the youth to go after temporary, informal jobs, which often interfere with any further educational progression.

Scholarships allow youth to be involved in educational and vocational training programmes at CARF’s Hummingbird Activity Centre (ECBF – Espaço Cultural Beija-Flor), strengthening their individual life project as opposed to hustling to make money or becoming involved in the ever-present drug trafficking that is profuse in most underprivileged communities in Brazil.

The programme includes regular orientation and education regarding drugs, alcohol, sex, citizenship and money management.

Monitoring of the current family situation helps motivate parent/guardian involvement and safeguards against improper use of the scholarship, giving maximum priority to funding their selected programme activities.

Thanks to our supporters, several of our young people have received great opportunities and are today multiplying their growing experiences with other children at Hummingbird. Interactions with youth from allied projects such as GCAR – Grupo Cultural Afro Reggae are inspiring moments for further development.

If you would like to become a regular sponsor for any of our scholarships, please subscribe by clicking on the PayPal Subscription Button of your choice, at the very bottom of this page. Subscriptions are monthly and will be confirmed by e-mail. They may be cancelled at any time. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this young person's life.

13 year old Jason looks forward to 2005 in the hope that he will find a sponsor for his scholarship. With a brother still on the streets and own experiences from the streets and FEBEM (Juvenile Detention Centre), Jason literally clings onto the hope that Norwegian National Television's film team, Steiner Birkeland and Thomas Hellum, will arouse the interest of many new sponsors for the Hummingbird Project when their documentary about CARF is viewed in Norway on January 10th. Jason is a talented songwriter and Rapper and his ambitions are in that direction.

CARF's Hummingbird Project provides scholarships on three different levels:

BASIC – USD$40.00 - $50.00 per month.

Aimed at impoverished younger children participating in our Street Migration Prevention Programme, normally aged between 11 and 14 years of age. This scholarship guarantees their active participation at the Hummingbird Activity Center alongside their essential attendance in public schools. The scholarship helps combat child labor in high-risk families by preventing these children becoming new victims.
The scholarship is awarded to those in particularly difficult life situations where survival often becomes a more important factor than the child’s educational needs and mental and physical health.

INTERMEDIATE - USD$60.00 - $70.00 per month.

This youth scholarship is aimed at developing vocational interests in young people as they grow with our programme, guaranteeing their commitment and eventually leading them on towards an advanced scholarship. A firmer step towards their personal life project.

ADVANCED - USD$80.00 - $100.00 per month.

Aimed to inspire older youth reach their potential in whatever area they are developing natural or acquired abilities in programmes at the Hummingbird Activity Centre. The scholarship can be used to cover costs for supplementary, external educational courses or for extra training sessions and materials. Such funds would otherwise be an impossible priority for them to obtain within an impoverished family situation.

Please Note: As we aim for a flexible solution so as to be able to satisfy the specific needs of each scholarship holder according to the nature of their individual life project and associated costs, the final value of their particular scholarship can vary somewhat within the above stated amounts, which are meant as a general guideline.

It’s comforting to know that this scene is one taken from a theatrical performance at Hummingbird. Many of our children know only too well how damaging life on the streets can really be, they have been there themselves. Our Capacity Building Scholarship Programme is one way of securing a positive future development for these children.

“We cannot rescue all the children at risk in Brazil, but if each privileged individual would "adopt" just one child, our workload would certainly diminish.”

WHAT’S YOUR WISH FOR THIS CHRISTMAS?

2004-12-22T19:05:00.000-02:00

But is your wish for Christmas compatible with theirs?

“And so this is Christmas, for weak and for strong, for rich and the poor ones, the world is so wrong.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one, without any fear” - Yoko Ono & John Lennon

As yet another Christmas rapidly approaches us, so do the screaming needs of the many children still living on the streets of the big cities. Reflecting over the needs of impoverished and underprivileged people, we are constantly obliged to question our own attitudes, especially during this week of Christmas celebration. Whilst entire populations around the world are spending more than ever before, profiting those who already have far more than their fair share in such an unfair society, millions of children still have nothing more to expect from Father Christmas than just another day of suffering.

So, are your wishes for Christmas compatible with theirs?

Mahatma Gandhi’s words are still appropriate today, even more so than when he first spoke them:
“THE RICH MUST LIVE MORE SIMPLY SO THAT THE POOR MAY SIMPLY LIVE.”

A simple rule, which if abided to, would signify changes, and with that I mean big changes for many of those innocent children still suffering on the streets, who probably would never have even reached that point in the first place had we all taken heed of Gandhi’s simple, humane philosophy.

Robison and Eduardo were just two of the many children living on the streets of São Paulo in 1998, until CARF took action . . .

Children of the streets all over the world are probably this very moment reaping the benefits of our bad conscience, picking up the left-over change at the traffic junctions in every big city, whilst the really heavy cash flows freely as never before in the mega shopping centres of those same cities.

But have you ever stopped and thought about their wishes for Christmas? Questioned if your petty cash at the crossroads will really help them realise those dreams? I doubt very much! So why not join forces and channel those millions of insignificant donations (which when united become quite significant amounts) to the organisations dedicated to social change. Then surely many of those very same children will receive real opportunities and fulfil not only their Christmas wishes, but also their profound desire to lead new and dignified lives.

The Children At Risk Foundation – CARF is just one of those organisations willing to invest in what seems to be a pretty hopeless situation for the many children living on the streets in Brazil. But as we know that things are not as hopeless as they seemingly appear and that our past actions have also proven otherwise, we choose to continue investing in those children in the hope that many more of you will join our efforts.

Thanks to our supporters and our efforts, Eduardo and Robison have gradually broken the vicious circle of survival in which they were imprisoned. Handouts on the streets sustained their abuse of heavy drugs and tragic lyfestyle instead of sustaining the programme which helped rescue them.

Please don’t support a child from your car window, you will be supporting poverty and sustaining an inhuman lifestyle, just like all those who did nothing more than to sustain kids like Eduardo and Robison above, imprisoned in their vicious circle of abandonment. Instead channel those “insignificant” handouts to CARF Brasil or any other organisation of your preference, so that your action becomes a significant contribution in the hands of those capable of making the necessary changes to the lives of those still suffering.

I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have generously supported our actions during the last year and hope that you will continue to follow us in 2005, in our mission to defend the rights of abandoned street children and other children at risk, offering them a dignified and definitive solution so that they may live and grow within a family-oriented context and healthy social environment.

Please feel free to channel any left-overs you may have from this year’s Christmas shopping by simply clicking on old Santa here. I guarantee you that he will certainly put your money to work in the right direction for the children. - Gregory J. Smith, Founder, CARF.

FOLLOW-UP BY NORWEGIAN TV

2004-12-08T15:43:00.000-02:00

Hairdressing at Hummingbird - Cut! Cut! No! Not the filming, his hair!

“ Capturing and disseminating these hopeful images of a better future for Brazil’s many underprivileged children is the best way of creating public awareness and mobilizing
support for our actions. ”

During the last year, any newcomers to CARF’s recuperation and prevention centre in São Paulo would have probably mistaken the colourful, thriving village of Hummingbird for something close to a Hollywood film studio, due to the fact that they would most likely have bumped into a camera lens at one time or another (if not that, then maybe the peaceful cows passing-by from the neighbourhood!).

Having been the scene for several documentary programmes for television channels in the US, Brazil and Norway recently, it must have been quite impossible not to imagine oneself as the new Shirley Temple or Macaulay Culkin during all the film takes! Keep your heads on straight kids! No need to panic! This is not some Hollywood movie, just a real-life extract of the day-to-day life at our Hummingbird Activity Centre, where more than 600 children and young people spend most of their time, before or after normal school hours.

Latest in line on our clapboard is a follow-up of a documentary film made in 1994 by NRK’s Egil Rafto, reflecting over the past ten years of CARF and Gregory Smith’s actions to protect street children and other children at risk from some of the harsh realities of Brazilian society. Sorry to say, Egil passed away on 7th. January 1997 before he had a chance to realise his ideas for a follow-up of the ’94 film.

Knowing well of his intentions, journalist friend and colleague, Steiner Birkeland, took it upon himself to realise Egil’s desire to make this follow-up, together with cameraman Thomas Hellum, both from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation – NRK.

It seems that the neighbourhood’s cows enjoy just as much our football grounds as do our children.

Seeing the moving images and listening to the sounds through a digital camera is a fascinating experience for the children.

Easy to notice the difference in the optimistic smiles of the children at Hummingbird, compared to those on the streets.

Our colourful thriving village at Hummingbird prevents children from going to the streets.

Fading away in their fantasy world by sniffing glue and abusing other drugs is often the only possibility of escaping the realities of the streets.

Trying to make the most of what little one has is a common plight for most children from poverty stricken communities in Brazil. The efforts of NGO’s like ours is of great value to them.

Besides sporadic film-takes in Norway, a solid week’s filming onsite in Brazil was necessary to record enough material for the new documentary. Being as most of CARF’s activities in Brazil are centred in and around their Hummingbird Activity Centre, this also became the obvious base for our film crew from Norway. Filming took place all hours of the day and night, under whatever circumstances happened to appear, the idea having been to capture the reality of CARF and Gregory Smith’s efforts during the last ten years recuperating street children in Brazil.

This was no easy task as the work of CARF has multiple facets and affects a multitude of children together with their families from the communities that surround Hummingbird. Filming in the favelas was a must if one was to better understand the reasons for CARF’s Street Migration Prevention Programme in this region. Not to mention the situation still evident for many of Brazil’s abandoned children, doomed to a tough life on the streets of the country’s mega cities.

In contrast to these disheartening scenes came the explosion of happy smiles from all the contented children at Hummingbird. Following threads sown in 1993 to 1994, it was important to follow-up on the lives of the first street children taken off the streets during the initial years of CARF’s activities in São Paulo’s city centre. Here were many enlightening stories, but also tragic ones too that needed to be told.

Filming attracts a great deal of attention in the underprivileged communities and most children love the opportunity to perform in front of the camera.

Life at home is quite contrasting to that at Hummingbird. For many children this fulfils an empty space in their lives and prevents them from pursuing other solutions, like seeking the streets for excitement or peace of mind.

A fantasy world created by drugs is not necessary at Hummingbird, where most dreams can become a reality if a child really wants to follow his or her desires.

A smile is never far off at the Hummingbird Activity Centre, where peace and respect for each other is a pre-requisite.

The results of all these efforts will be made available to television viewers on the 10th. January 2005, when the finished film is due to be released on NRK television in Norway.
NB! You can now watch the film "Kolibrimannen"

8 years of working preventively in our community has created bonds and established respectful relationships. These themselves are qualities which prevent many at-risk children from hitting the streets.

Why not light a candle at Christmas in support of the children in our Street Migration Prevention Programme at the Hummingbird Activity Centre. Please make your safe online contribution by clicking on the photo below. All donations to our Street Children's Memorial Fund support this programme.

REHABILITATION IN CRISIS!

2004-12-05T22:21:00.000-02:00

The São Paulo youth rehabilitation system institutes reforms.

Youth in Conflict with the Law

For those of us working with children and youth in conflict with the law, it comes as no surprise that the Foundation for the Well-Being of Minors – FEBEM, is once again the object of criticism by those fighting to protect the rights of Brazil’s younger citizens. Any minimally decent human being with respect for human dignity would react strongly to the degrading and humiliating conditions many of Brazil’s youth in conflict with the law are being held under.

The situation, even after such drastic actions as the one ordered by São Paulo’s once State Governor, the since deceased Dr. Mario Covas, has not changed for the better. In 1999 Covas ordered the immediate demolition of São Paulo’s main Febem youth detention complex “Imigrantes”, following internal riots among the more than 2500 detained youngsters, which caused the death of several of them. The complex was originally meant to cater for only 1200.

The remains of the FEBEM youth detention complex “Imigrantes” after its demolition. Several of CARF’s former street children have spent time behind the walls of this “concentration camp” during the authorities feeble attempts to remove them from the streets.

An international expert on prison conditions, invited to accompany an Amnesty International delegation to Brazil in October 1999, wrote in his report of São Paulo's juvenile detention centres: “I should say as clearly as possible that I have never seen children kept in such appalling conditions...In my view the place should be closed down.”

In the July 2000 Amnesty International report “Waste of LIves”, the FEBEM Juvenile Detention Centres in São Paulo were referred to as: “a human rights crisis, not a public security issue”.

But still the material presented below collected from various sources by COAV – Children and Youth in Organised Armed Violence presents the same situation presented by Amnesty’s report more than four years ago. The system is obviously failing, whilst the problem of youth in conflict with the law in Brazil steadily grows at a frustrating rate, in pace with the production of hoards of inadequately prepared youngsters from an extremely deficient public school system. The fact that decent jobs in Brazil are few and far between, even for those with good enough qualifications from private schools and universities, doesn’t make the situation any easier. For many, a world of crime is their only solution for survival.

The problems of youth in conflict with the law in Brazil steadily grows at a frustrating rate. The famed bus hijacking by a former street kid, survivor from the even more famous Candelaria assassination of 8 street children in Rio de Janeiro in 1993, was a horrifying example of the failing system.

I have no doubt that programmes similar to our own Street Migration Prevention Programme at Hummingbird, situated only a few miles away from the ruins of the FEBEM complex at Imigrantes, need to be adopted and implemented by the state system if we are to even come anything close to what we can call a solution. If we merely let another four years pass without implementing some drastic changes to this system then I’m afraid we will have to face even more violence and death in our struggle to rehabilitate the public victims of these heavily state-sponsored “Criminal Factories”. - Gregory J. Smith, CARF.

The nurturing environment of our Hummingbird Activity Centre in Diadema, Saõ Paulo, facilitates the participation of all children and young people, no matter what their past may hide.

01 December 2004 – There are 77 juvenile rehabilitation units of the Fundação Estadual do Bem-Estar do Menor (FEBEM). The system houses in the state of São Paulo 5,700 juveniles, watched over by nearly 9,000 employees. FEBEM has been regularly accused of housing adolescents in sub-human conditions, allowing the practice of torture, and not abiding by Brazil’s Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA).

Over the last 20 months, 13 adolescents have died in FEBEM units. Even though directors known for their human rights advocacy have headed the system, FEBEM continues to be plagued by rebellions and accusations of abuse by employees.

“Autopsies show that summary executions have occurred,” says Heloísa Machado de Almeida, lawyer of the human rights organization Conectas. The organisation is taking the system to court and is demanding compensation for victims of abuse.

The Brazilian courts ruled that the system had until November to institute reforms and improved hygiene and sanitation. If it does not do so, the president of FEBEM will have to pay 1,000 Reais (approx. USD$350) per day out of his own pocket.

The high number of incarcerated youth in Brazil reflects the immensity of the problem. Torture in youth detention centres has been a central theme in many passed reports but still continues.

New regulations

In October, FEBEM announced new internal regulations, with the rights and duties of adolescents in the system clearly defined. The document, which says that the foundation will be open to human rights activists, represents the biggest change in the system, at least on paper, since 1976.

“There were sporadic norms and decisions made, which involved disciplining individual units, but there was no overall regulation,” says state secretary of Justice Alexandre de Moraes. “Many times, the adolescent does not know what his role is or what his rights are,” says Child and Youth public defender Wilson Tafner.

With the adoption of the new regulations, certain rules must be followed, such as calling adolescents by their names. Infractions are classified on a scale from minor to major, with specific punishment for each classification. The harshest punishment is semi-isolation, for no more than five days.

According to Child and Youth Court judge Mônica Paukoski, adolescents with good behaviour who show an interest in cultural and sports activities will receive benefits, such as group outings, weekend visits and letters detailing good conduct to be sent to the Child courts.

“Transparency and normalisation were, for the judiciary, fundamental,” says the judge.

Every three months, FEBEM will evaluate the behaviour of interns. “If he shows that he is ready to return to society, we will send the evaluation to the judiciary. The idea is to shorten their waiting time,” says the state secretary.

Capoeira is probably the most important integrational activity at Hummingbird, where 250 children and young people representing many different backgrounds participate. See: Capoeira Beija-Flor

Deaths and break-outs

The last FEBEM death was in August, when an 18 year-old was hung. In January, two 17 year-olds were shot. In June of last year, another 17 year-old died of burns.

In 2004, FEBEM registered more than 716 break-outs, with 348 adolescents re-captured. In July, 30 employees at the Raposo Tavares complex in the city of São Paulo were accused of beating interns with sticks and gas canisters. The Public Ministry opened an investigation into the incident, which also received the attention of Amnesty International.

Rebellions are common place in almost all units of FEBEM where youth in conflict with the law are incarcerated. This heated up situation outside the Franco da Rocha complex, which was supposed to substitute the infamous Imigrantes complex, also ended up with deaths.

As a result, FEBEM president Marcos Monteiro suspended Raposo Tavares director José Christiano Viana. In addition, the justice system investigated the unit and concluded that the interns had been kept under lock-down – without access to a recreational patio, to the dining room and to bathrooms.

Sources: Istoé, 20/9; O Estado de S. Paulo, 12/8; Folha de S. Paulo – 20/10.
For this article in Portuguese, please click here!

Read HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH latest report on the situation, just released:
“REAL DUNGEONS” - Juvenile Detention in the State of Rio de Janeiro

New report reveals the state of juvenile detention centres in Brazil

10 December 2004 - Overcrowded, filthy and violent. The Human Rights Watch (HRW) report “Real Dungeons: Juvenile Detention in the State of Rio de Janeiro,” released on December 7, casts a grim picture on the state of adolescent detention centers in Rio de Janeiro. The Department of Socio-Educational Action (DEGASE), the authority responsible for maintaining the centers, reacted to the report with surprise and anger. - COAV

“Free us from FEBEM!”
Drawing by Marcos Vinicius do Nascimento at The Hummingbird Activity Centre

HAPPY BIRTHDAY “TIO” GREGORY!

2004-11-27T19:15:00.000-02:00

The smiling faces of the children at Hummingbird are worth more than any quantity of gold or diamonds.

“If we can save the life of just one child from a destiny on the streets then we will have accomplished a great deal.”

Like the Hummingbirds, birthdays come and go in great quantity at our prevention and recuperation centre in São Paulo! With so many children connected to the programme, happily to say, we also have many birthdays to celebrate. Today I feel honoured to be the one being celebrated. It’s on moments like this that I appreciate the year gone by and each year to come.

My parents even called from England to congratulate. My mother was concerned about me feeling lonely as the years pass by, so far away from family and friends. It’s seldom I see them these days as I have already celebrated 11 birthdays here at Hummingbird. But lonely…? At least that gave me good laugh! This was really not the right day to ask such a question, with 600 kids passing through the centre each week, most of whom were present today just to say “Happy Birthday “Tio” Gregory!” Not to mention my four little grandchildren, who come here nearly every day just to give me a kiss on the cheek to make sure I have a “Bom dia!”

How on earth is it possible to feel lonely in my position? With so many people around me 24 hours a day, I sometimes wish I could find a secluded island to go hide myself away. But then again, I would probably miss all the smiling faces of those multi-coloured “Hummingbirds”, worth more than any deserted island treasure.

So thanks everyone for remembering my 52nd. It’s on moments like this that I feel we have really accomplished a great deal and saved many children from a destiny on the streets. Seeing all of them around me on a day like today, with each and every one of them growing healthy and strong, makes this far more attractive than any lonely, deserted island.

What a wonderful birthday cake, decorated with hundreds of tiny yellow flowers. To me, each flower represents the golden smiles on the faces of every child in our programme. One can really do nothing but smile!

Among all the beautiful cards and letters I received today, the following message on a simple card from a former street kid brought tears to my eyes:

“You have shared with me your friendship, which has grown over the years and together we have learnt to overcome the difficulties, the joys and the sorrows. During my life I have learnt that a friendship more precious than yours doesn’t exist. You are very special!”

Feliz Aniversário everyone!
You are all very special to me too.

CROSS-CULTURAL GLOBAL INTERACTION

2004-11-24T23:30:00.000-02:00

Interaction between street children and CISV youth in Lisbon 1992. - Who’s better qualified to lead the way?

Sustainable development for future generations begins with our children.

Following-up on one of my earlier postings, "Journey to an Unknown World", I would like to share with you a little more of our recent experience of Cross-cultural Global Interaction between children from the developed world (Norway) and children of Hummingbird’s Street Migration Prevention Programme in Brazil. Without doubt, this interaction coincides with the vision of our organization, calling for further actions and stronger support so that even more children can gain access. In doing so, facilitating the creation and development of their own ideas for social change on a global level.

The benefits gained from interaction between children from the developed world and those who temporarily depend on our actions, makes global thinking not just a means but also a real necessity.

Street children and CISV youth in Lisbon 1992. - Sowing the seeds of peace through Cross-cultural Global Interaction

Back in 1992, during my commitment as a parent and leader with the international CISV (Children’s International Summer Villages) in Norway, I was questioning the why’s and how’s to develop an exchange programme, where impoverished children from developing countries could have access, participating and contributing with their own life values. Why should the promotion of peace only be reserved for the wealthy? Is it to be that only the views of the privileged classes shall dominate and be decisive for world peace? If so, then we are doing a rather inadequate job of things, and certainly not one in accordance with the desires of most young people.

During a short stay in Lisbon, prior to my coming to Brazil, I organized an experimental interaction between street children there and youth members of the Lisbon group of CISV. There was certainly a need to shorten the gap between the privileged and the impoverished, which even in one of Europe’s less wealthy countries was clearly visible.

Street children and CISV youth in Lisbon 1992. - Closing the gap between the privileged and the impoverished.

Global instability, conflict and war have their main roots in poverty and the extreme socio-economic and socio-cultural differences profound in many developing countries today. The distance between rich and poor is steadily increasing and, as a parallel to all this, the negative consequences are seriously affecting our societies. Violence, corruption and the progressive egoism on both sides make this survival game nothing less than a perverse show of political and public incompetence.

In the meantime our children will keep on suffering; impoverished children, having to withstand a total lack of basic needs along with the fact that their international rights are constantly infringed. The more privileged children, who although have an abundance of what the other half don't have, still suffer from other deficiencies and frustrations common in their society.

So who’s better qualified to lead the way?

Former street children from The Hummingbird Project in Brazil lead the way teaching young people the art of Capoeira in the town square of Bergen in Norway.

In Norway we have had an incredibly positive experience with our Capoeira Exchange Programme, which is now running into its fifth year. Our Hummingbird Capoeira Centre has been training children and young people for more than ten years. Capoeira is our principal programme for the recuperation of street children. Some of the first children to leave the streets in 1993 are now young adult instructors at the centre, which today attends approx. 250 children in its activities. Through self-development and the experience gained from their own activities at Hummingbird, former street children have inspired the creation of a Norwegian based Capoeira Academy called Capoeira na Chuva together with young people in Norway.

Former street kid Fabio (lying on the floor at centre) was one of our youth trainers leading the first Capoeira Workshop for Norwegian youth in Bergen in 2000.

Today Capoeira na Chuva (Capoeira in the Rain) has approx. seventy regular members and facilitates regular visits for youth trainers from the Hummingbird Capoeira Centre in cooperation with CARF Norway. Each summer our youth trainers lead a Capoeira Workshop in Bergen for the group’s members and also to attract new-beginners to this remarkable sport. This year members of the group came for a ten-day visit to Hummingbird. Hopefully this interaction between youngsters involved in Capoeira, on both sides of the globe, will produce fertile grounds for a clearer understanding of each other’s reality.

Young talented players from Hummingbird’s Football Club have embraced the opportunity to participate with Norwegian youth at a football training school in Spain.

We recently initiated a similar action with youngsters from Hummingbird’s Football Club, which has resulted in six of our players travelling to Norway and Spain for three months, interacting with Norwegian youth at a football training school in Mallorca. The school, Team Football Talent, are themselves sponsoring the boys for their entire stay and it is independent initiatives for global interaction like this one that we value highly. Hopefully the experience will not only be of great personal benefit to our participants, but will also have an impact on all those involved in this admirable cross-cultural initiative.

Opportunities for our young people, to become part of something in totally contrasting environments, such as those offered in Norway and Spain, have already made an impact on their lives and helped them realize that their contribution is also highly valued by those who grow up under much more privileged living conditions than they themselves are doing.

Håkon and Sunniva from Norway spent a busy week getting to know the realities of life for many of the impoverished children connected to CARF’s Street Migration Prevention Programme.

Taking this a step further, the recent visit of two teachers and two 11-year old pupils from Aurdalslia School, one of our Hummingbird supporting schools in Norway, has ploughed new grounds for a better understanding between two entirely different worlds. Taking part in activities at The Hummingbird Activity Centre and seeing and feeling the reality of life in shantytowns and the streets where many of our children come from, has created an entirely different impression in their minds than the more superficial ones commonly served to them through the mass media.

That the happy children she got to know at Hummingbird lived under such impoverished conditions made quite an impression on Sunniva. A new experience that may challenge her own values.

As they leave permanent impressions, real-life experiences are of course much more valid than what the mass media can serve us. The obligations born from these memorable personal experiences are also much more difficult to ignore. Our sub-conscience creates a certain compromise with the experience and leads us to take action, one way or the other. On their return home, 11-year old Håkon and Sunniva were met with a storm of questions from their school colleagues after their one-week experience at Hummingbird.

Håkon and Sunniva took part in most of the activities at The Hummingbird Activity Centre, the base for CARF’s Street Migration Prevention Programme.

Håkon tells us that his first week back at school went OK but that there were so many questions to be answered. He also mentioned that he had some difficulty getting to sleep because he, to be honest, missed everyone at Hummingbird. Sunniva explained that on her first week back at school, she and Håkon had held lectures and that the classrooms had been packed each time. I have told them that they are our most important Ambassadors, a bridge between our two worlds.

Marcos, Sunniva and Franciane, bridging the gap between our two worlds.

The impact of their latest experiences is reflected in their resulting actions and the enormous interest shown by schoolmates, teachers, family members and friends, making their annual Brazil Market a gigantic success, which again resulted in strengthening the financial support for and commitment to our programme. Their interaction with our children in Brazil was a most important move in nurturing their school, which has already been a steady supporting partner of CARF since 1993.

Their teacher Hilde, taught our children how to make handcrafts in soft Norwegian wool, to be sold at their annual Brazilian Market in Norway the following week. A new and exciting way of painting pictures with wool, explained some of the children, who already sell many of their own colourful paintings at the market.

This expansive activity and resulting beneficial actions by our supporting schools in Norway are clear examples of the compromise created through global interaction between children linked to our programme. For several years now CARF has arranged visits to Norway for children from our programme in Brazil. The objective has always been to create moments of interaction between the two groups, the privileged children of our supporting schools and the impoverished children attended at Hummingbird. These interactions have taken place in the form of Capoeira and folkloric presentations, kite making workshops and open discussion groups, where children from both worlds have contributed.

Baking one’s daily bread was common in Norway before wealth changed all of that. Now we have taken over this humble tradition, here baking our own healthy bread with Håkon and Sunniva at Hummingbird.

I look forward to an expansion of our global interactions in the near future by arranging possibilities for children to exchange living experiences in each other’s home and school environments, helping them to evaluate and reflect over obvious differences in each other’s cultural reality. We need to discover ways of diminishing human egoism so that children from both worlds can grow up in safe and healthy environments without having to either struggle for survival or waste their material abundance more than is absolutely necessary.

In 2002, thirteen Brazilian children from Hummingbird visited many of our supporting schools in Norway on an exciting three week tour with Afro-brazilian cultural presentations. Here they light their torches for peace in front of 30.000 people present at the traditional pre-Christmas event in Bergen.

I sincerely believe that actions such as those described above will not only cultivate a more humane and peaceful global community but also reflect in our consumer mentality, ecological preservation of natural resources and the sustainable development of future generations.

Gregory J. Smith
Social Entrepreneur and Founder
The Children At Risk Foundation - CARF

If you are interested in sponsoring our global interactions you are most welcome to contact CARF Brasil

THE OTHER FACE OF OUR WAR

2004-11-21T03:27:00.000-02:00

In the poor communities, which are most affected by the violence, the number of people who’s moral and physical integrity has been damaged is really frightening. - Yvonne Bezerra de Mello

This is the hidden face of our war that nobody assumes as being his or her responsibility.

In the following article, our Brazilian colleague and Child Rights Defender, President of Project UERÊ in Rio de Janeiro, Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, touches the surface of a constant war, long silenced by the ignorance of incompetent politicians. Yvonne’s frustrations are shared by those of us face-to-face with such a reality as we strive to reconstruct the lives of children and families trying to survive under extraordinarily difficult conditions - Gregory J. Smith, CARF.

The photos of adults splattered in blood and of wounded children in Iraq, especially the boy without arms, remind us of Mi-Lai and the burnt girl who became a symbol of the atrocities of the wars that only satisfy the egos of the governments that provoke them. This war over the power of Iraqi oil diverted the attention of Brazilians, from the atrocities committed in our own city and our country.

Yes! The newspapers headlines do transmit the war against drug trafficking and our pathetic combat against it, represented by hair-brained and unintelligent declarations from so-called specialists in public security that seem more worried about government intrigues and blunders instead of the population.

We need many crutches for the victims wounded by those well-aimed shots or so-called “stray” bullets during police raids.

Blaming the cause on ill-prepared politicians, police and judiciary authorities, unable to deal with the urban violence, the number of victims of our war grows every day. In the poor communities, which are most affected by the violence, the number of people who’s moral and physical integrity has been damaged is really frightening. Some time ago there was a film scene showing hundreds of pairs of crutches being thrown from airplanes to those that had been injured or lost their legs in Afghanistan. We also need those crutches for the victims wounded by those well-aimed shots or so-called “stray” bullets, who find themselves disabled, thrown in a bed, without attendance, with a bullet lodged in their spine or some other vital muscle.

The anonymity and public indifference to violence and death, are typical of the bureaucratic disregard of the lives and deaths of no-account people, threatening our notions of civil society and human rights.

We need tons of boxes of Gardenol for all those inhabitants who end up with convulsions when shantytowns are attacked by drug traffickers or the police, using that very same violence. One shot is enough to spark off the delirious shouts of children who have already seen their relatives or acquaintances not only hit by gunfire, but also torn apart or burnt alive in the entrance of their own homes. Even worse, are those youngsters on the verge of adolescence, who in loss of all common sense, are obliged to kill to be able to survive. The fear is printed in all their faces.

The boot of a policeman breaking down the door of a house signifies extortion, violence and pain. A message from an outlaw to his family means death, torture or house arrest for undetermined time.

The barbarity installed in our ghettos in reality differs nothing from others such as Warsaw.

The bullet ridden or mutilated bodies are strewn in the filthy alleyways until somebody decides to ditch them in any old gutter to leave them to sink in the silt, only to be disregarded by all. Or scenes of human body parts being torn apart by the sharp teeth of pigs that are so fat they seem more like horses. They are people of all ages that have to live with the daily pain. They are our army of suffering people whose state of being finds no adequate remedy. Then there are the specialists with their diplomas, comfortably seated in their chairs, anonymous or pretending to not know of this reality.

Adding to this is the hunger, the malnutrition and the precocious death of our children and young people.

Children are excluded and threatened even before they are born.

The result of it all are the children who do not learn and whose school discrepancy leads them into sub-employment, continuing their exclusion and increasing even more the distance between the social classes in this country. They are youngsters who don’t believe in a future because they are the forgotten ones rarely benefited by crippled or delayed public policy making which changes direction each time a new government is elected and needs to show results. They are adults without jobs who drown in alcoholism and marginality. Better to belong to the drug traffickers than to die of hunger.

They are youngsters who don’t believe in a future because they are the forgotten ones.

This is the hidden face of our war that nobody assumes as being his or her responsibility. But everyone seems unanimous in blaming the poor population as the guilty ones, either due to their lack of family planning or the excess of northeastern migrants. Here in our war we also exchange prisoners, we also traffic people whose price tag depends on who the buyer is. Ours is a cynical war where guns, grenades and other heavy weapons arrive every day, arming the cities and the fields to guarantee the status quo of this insane society.

The scene behind the painted canvas is so complex and the challenges so great, that even the world’s finest artists would have great difficulty in painting a brighter picture.

Scenes such as those from Iraq repeat themselves every day, just here, in front of our very noses. What a shame that our indignation is not so great and enthusiastic as that which we express concerning episodes arising beyond our borders. It is reasonable to think about the reconstruction of Iraq. But who will finance ours?

Yvonne Bezerra de Mello

Child Rights Defender and President of the Project UERÊ
Rio de Janeiro - BRAZIL

IN LOVING MEMORY OF LEONARDO

2004-11-20T11:21:00.000-02:00

Our dear friend and colleague Leonardo has been mercilessly slain by a jealous killer. Here he is seen with Fabiana and volunteer Harold baking bread.

Leonardo had an appetite for life and wanted to be part of everything. His killer thought indifferently.

It came as a great shock to us that Léo, (Leonardo Henrique Fontoura da Silva), had recently been shot dead at point blank. His unexpected death on November 8th. makes him yet another victim of the meaningless and far too common violence infecting our society.

Léo was a good musician and dancer who enjoyed playing in his own group "Estrela do Samba" together with other friends. His constant participation at nightspots was also a worrying concern for his mother, who preferred him home in the evenings due to the constant violence in our region.
Léo joined our programme as a teenager, as an active participant of our youth group. He also worked as office boy at the Hummingbird Activity Centre during the first year of its development. Eventually he found himself a fixed job, but continued practicing capoeira and dance at Hummingbird, always appearing here with a smile on his face.

His malicious killer had no other reasons for murdering him other than for his success, his joy over life and his girlfriend. Léo’s girlfriend witnessed the killing and he died in her presence after having attempted to scare off the killer only to receive yet another shot whilst the culprit directed shots at her too. As with the majority of such vicious actions, the author still roams freely on the streets in a society permeated with impunity.

Leonardo had many friends at Hummingbird, sharing joy over the activities offered there and he will be missed by all. Hopefully our actions will help diminish the violence, a threat to all of them.

Please consider making a donation to our Street Children's Memorial Fund at the bottom of this Blog. This fund sustains the programmes of the Hummingbird Activity Centre.

THE HUMMINGBIRD ACTIVITY CENTRE

2004-11-19T17:01:00.000-02:00

Preventing more children from hitting the streets is as important as recuperating those already on the streets.

Hummingbird's Street Migration Prevention Programme attends more than 600 children and young people in its activities.

The programmes of The Hummingbird Activity Centre are primarily preventive in nature, directed at community children and young people and promote the confidence, character, competence, and "connectedness" of that population to their family,
peers, and community.

These programmes provide a range of support and services in such areas as vocational training, health education, recreation, cultural tolerance and understanding, racial reconciliation, artistic expression, environmental awareness, and the development of leadership, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.

The Hummingbird Activity Centre drawn by 7 year old Matheus Aparecido Alves Borges.

In addition, the centre supports the demands of rehabilitation programmes serving the needs of street children coming off the streets.

The programmes work to increase global awareness of children and youth issues, strengthen the organizational skills of youth programme leaders, and promote greater knowledge and application of best practices for young people, increasing the effectiveness, scale, and sustainability of proven approaches to meeting young people's needs.

Youth Entrepreneurs lead the way: Hummingbird offers opportunities to local youth, training them to become advocates through their own actions for social change in their own community.

In between future postings we will present you with a pictorial view of some of the activities going on at our Hummingbird Activity Centre. The team of young entrepreneurs leading the programme comes from our local community where we attend more than 600 young people and their families. These talented youth mentors have themselves suffered the consequences of poverty and social injustice and are only too well aware of the negative effects this has on their community.

Most of the street children in the city of São Paulo come from underprivileged communities such as the one surrounding our activity centre. It is therefore important that we provide programmes that prevent other at-risk children from hitting the streets.

JOURNEY TO AN UNKNOWN WORLD

2004-11-18T23:31:00.000-02:00

11 year old Håkon and Sunniva from Norway represent CARF’s youngest supporters and have been well prepared for their journey to an unknown world in the middle of São Paulo's cement jungle.

Håkon and Sunniva on the streets of São Paulo. An encounter between two worlds far apart.

Eleven year olds, Håkon and Sunniva, are just two among thousands of school children in Norway who recognize the efforts of our organization in Brazil. As a matter of fact the many school children from the "privileged" world are such an important asset to us that the entire solidarity process behind their actions, in exchange, has also played a significant role in their own education and development as future responsible citizens in our global village.

Building bridges between children from different realities is an important consideration when thinking global.

These two typical youngsters from the far north suddenly found themselves in an entirely different world, just as contrasting as the radiant colours of their hair and eyes compared with the ebonite equivalent in most Brazilian underprivileged children. They were selected among many like-minded kids in Norway, eager to gain such first-hand knowledge about the problems facing street children. Now they were suddenly face-to-face with the problems that their entire school had sought to understand and diminish during the 10 years they have supported The Hummingbird Project in Brazil.

The inquisitive look on their faces was mutual. Many questions needed answering,...from both sides.

Up until now our youngest supporters have been able to follow the development of CARF’s programmes at a distance, through the educational activities offered to them by our Foundation in Norway. Several schools, where commitment has been long-term, have gained special honours of becoming so-called "Hummingbird" Schools and whose actions have helped us prevent many more children from facing such a tragic destiny of a life on the streets.

Facing children in such high-risk situations raises many questions. Here CARF’s founder takes the opportunity to explain to our young observers, how drugs affect street children.

This field experience provided Håkon, Sunniva and their teachers with a unique learning opportunity, a lesson which they will certainly be able to translate into practical actions once back on home territory. Their own school will be realizing a major annual event in support of CARF the week following their return to a country which offers equal opportunities for all children, which far too often are taken for granted by those lucky enough to be on the receiving end. Hopefully, seeing and feeling a quite different reality will help put things into perspective, also an important objective of CARF’s educational work in Norway.

Hilde, their teacher, soon found out that life can be so very cruel for some children, more so than she had ever imagined.

Hilde and Magne, the two teachers accompanying Håkon and Sunniva on their rather unusual experience, soon realized that if nothing was done to alleviate the situation, the street children would keep on experiencing things that would most certainly damage their own development, marking them for life and hindering their possibilities to become healthy, functioning and productive citizens. No doubt that a childhood spent on the streets is certainly the best pre-school education towards a criminal future.

Finding their way back to dignity demands great efforts by people willing to take on the long-term task it is to recuperate children away from the streets. We need your help in doing so. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! Where there are ways, there is also a great need for funding.

Please feel free to make your contribution at the bottom of this page. With your support we can certainly achieve much more!

RONEY and CLAUDINEY

2004-11-17T22:15:00.000-02:00

Roney and Claudiney, at risk on the streets of São Paulo

Roney and Claudiney, just two of the many children still on the streets of São Paulo.

Here are just a couple of the children we work with at Hummingbird. Roney and Claudiney are brothers, 11 and 12 years old, although quite small for their age. They both live on the streets in the southern regions of the city of São Paulo, but still have some contact with their alcoholic mother.

Their lives have been pretty much guided by fate and fortune, like most other kids on the streets of the big cities in Brazil. A very unstable childhood during the first few years of their lives, mainly due to their mother’s alcoholism, has led them to spend time in residential care during several periods before they actually ended up hitting the streets full-time.

Roney visits Hummingbird together with his cousin Alex, who is also on the streets, obviously things run in the family.

Like many of the children in their situation, time on the streets started off by selling sweets or offering other small services to passing cars at busy crossroads, this type of work being forced upon them by the mother to keep the family economy in balance. With three other smaller children to take care of besides Roney and Claudiney, life has certainly not been easy for their single mother.

Obviously the consequences have been tragic for both brothers, who have now lost out on most of their schooling. The only paperwork they have managed to accumulate during their short lives have been the piles of police reports, public complaints and who knows how many court rulings to have the boys sent back home or put into residential care again. With most of Brazil’s shelters already inundated with at-risk kids, not many are willing to take on the likes of street children such as Roney and Claudiney, who’s demanding behaviour is enough to keep an entire staff on their toes.

Gregory removes a rather smelly shoe from Roney’s foot, only to reveal an even smellier sock

For the time being the boys use our Hummingbird Activity Centre as a drop-in place, somewhere to spend the day or even a few days rest, which can be most welcoming after long periods of tough life on the streets, where drugs and violence are all too commonplace and can play havoc on their fragile physique.

Claudiney is the older of the two and certainly has more willpower to stay off the streets and participate in the activities offered by us. Alone, he has completed several longer periods at Hummingbird. The negative influence and pressure of his younger, although bigger brother has often caused him to go back to the streets, even when we feel he would have preferred to stay longer. In time, hopefully the two will find equilibrium and continue in the programme.

Claudiney together with his cousin Alex. Thumbs up at Hummingbird.

THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT

2004-11-17T12:00:00.000-02:00

Children are at extreme risk on the streets of São Paulo

How are CARF'S ideas different to other innovative solutions already practised in the same field of social work?

The difference in our programme is that it offers a definite solution, a goal to be aimed for by the child in concern, already from the very first moments of contact on the streets between the educator and the child. The whole objective being to diminish a strong feeling of neglect and to create in the child a hope for tomorrow linked to a positive family situation (the dream of many a street child), at the same time preserving and strengthening ties (without threatening the relationships) with the child's biological family. The necessity to offer a clearly defined and satisfactory solution to the street child is our response to the lack of such ideals from similar organisations, which still seem to base their programmes on relief work. Many of these programmes create better living conditions on the streets and therefore attract even more children to them.

Children abandoned on the streets of São Paulo

The hardcore work of actually recuperating a street child really only starts once the child is off the streets. This includes discovering the life history of each child as far back in time as we are able, including root causes for their abandonment such as racial discrimination. Few organisations are willing to take that stride, or maybe they simply have not discovered that the recuperation and reintegration of such children into our society will only be successful once the child is relieved of his dependency to the streets. Basing our judgement on many years of practical groundwork, we believe this to be greater than any other of their drug dependencies.

CARFs founder with street children on the streets of São Paulo

Active child and youth participation in the organization is an essential part of our methodology, including their own implementation and development of programs as creative youth entrepreneurs. These young entrepreneurs or community mentors are themselves young people who have been the victims of either poverty, abandonment, violence, abuse or drugs, and are responsible for most of the onsite work with the children attended by our organization today.

Returning children to a social and family environment

PRINCIPAL ISSUES of The Hummingbird Project:

To offer a concrete alternative for children and adolescents living on the streets;

As part of a proposal for their social reinsertion, to detoxicate them and teach them ways of living without needing to use drugs;

To offer a model for the recovery and placement of street children and adolescents returning them to a social and family environment;

To offer bio-psycho-social care and accompaniment to street children living on the streets of São Paulo and our own municipality Diadema, working within the Principles of Integral Protection in order that they can be offered genuine possibilities of considerably changing their lives, gaining more just conditions in which to develop;

To enable small groups of street children to leave the streets permanently, to be reintegrated into their biological, extended or substitute families;

To attend at-risk community children and those with a "street" profile, and their families, to prevent their migrating to the streets;

To integrate them into positive peer groups;

To improve the family dynamics of children and youth attended by us;

To promote legitimate income sources;

To reach 100% attendance at school;

To reduce Police discrimination towards the target population.