In February John Doddrell, Happy Child International’s Chair of the Board and I enjoyed a wonderful time in Recife, Northeast Brazil visiting the partner projects we are supporting. We were inspired by the work being delivered, the staff commitment from those running the projects and of course the energy and dynamism of all the children and young people we met. In the mix we recognise that some of the young people face significant challenges to keep their lives together. We left with the certainty that the projects are helping them in every way they can to develop and find direction for the future.
We want to tell all our supporters about the trip and hope you enjoy reading where we went and who we met.
Sunday 16th February 2025 we were warmly welcomed by Pastor Marcos at the Coqueiral Baptist Church. This church significantly supports the Mentoring and Skills Training Project and works with the prevention of early unplanned pregnancy through Project Gathering. We gave a message of encouragement to the church family as they start to rebuild their new offices next to the church.
It was a positive moment of sharing and connection.
Monday 17th February 2025 We visited the homes of 2 of the young Mums engaged in the prevention of early unplanned pregnancy initiative Project Gathering. Marianna is 23 years old and has a two year old daughter named Heloísa. Encouragingly she has taken out a small micro loan from the project to start her own eyebrow shaping business. She showed us her small work shop with pride. On the other hand young Mum Thaina who is 18 years old seemed to be really struggling to hold life together and only manages to generate income sporadically. It’s so good to know that Project Gathering is there to support this Mum in such a vulnerable situation.
Tuesday 18th February 2025 we really enjoyed visiting one of our smaller partner projects in the low income Joanna Bezerra community. We had the opportunity to meet some of the families benefitting from the incredible work of partner project Ammar Transforma.
With a strong commitment to social justice, the project transforms the lives of children and young people by promoting education, skills training and giving family support. John and I enjoyed teaching some English to the young people and speaking to some of the residents in the local community as we walked around.
Friday 21st February 2025 we returned to visit our partners delivering the Mentoring and Skills Training Project spending time with the trainees on this project. John has been teaching English to the young people for most of the last month but on that Thursday Caroline was able to give him some assistance. It was a moment filled with joy and the young people really enjoyed engaging with us and asking questions. Some of the young people shared about the hopes and dreams they have for the future.
Saturday 22nd of February 2025 we were able to travel 100 km up the coast to visit Project Tamandaré We were given such a warm welcome by Padre Arlindo who has done so much to resource and raise the visibility of this project working with 450 children and young people a day. Happy Child has helped establish IT courses for 40 young people in 2025 and it was wonderful to meet some of the beneficiaries of this training which will give them skills to establish work. In the evening we were honoured to attend a special inauguration service for a new Padre in the diocese.
We really want to thank all our partners for the warmth and hospitality that was extended to us during our time in Recife, Northeast Brazil. We were so impressed with the work that they are doing on a day to day basis and often in very challenging communities.
Written by Caroline Taylor
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