Task Brasil can help your pupils learn more about the lives of some of the children in need in Brazil.

Task Brasil has created a specific ‘Schools' Pack’ designed to forge links with schools across the UK, increasing awareness of the challenges facing impoverished school-age children in Brazil and particularly Rio de Janeiro. Task Brasil’s Schools' Pack encourages  research and stimulates interest in the wider world of children in education, and in particular of the street kids in Rio.

Task Brasil itself is a charity that acts to advance the education and well-being of impoverished children in Brazil, its mission is to provide a loving and supportive home environment for both street children and adolescents, ensuring that all of their basic needs are met including having the tools to go on to lead rich and fulfilling lives. The introduction of a Schools' Pack now means that UK schools have a resource with useful information that is presented in an easy to access format.

Task Brasil was given an enormous boost in 1997 when it received a very generous donation from Jimmy Page, the Led Zeppelin rock icon who, whilst playing in Rio de Janeiro, witnessed at first hand the deprivation of the children and troubles in the favelas. The money he donated was used to buy a house in Santa Teresa that has been renovated and extended. The house is now called "Casa Jimmy", and has been running since 1998, helped by an experienced team of child carers, psychologists, administrative staff and volunteers from both Brazil and around the world. Since its foundation, Task Brasil has cared for over 450 children, teenagers and babies, a remarkable achievement. 

The problems for street children in Brazil often come from the lack of care afforded them by their parents due to extreme poverty, and this often has a negative effect upon their education.  Their parents can't afford the costs of sending their children to school, or simply send them to work to help support a large family with very small children. Despite the fact that fundamental education is mandatory and work under the age of 16 is forbidden, Brazil has many cases of child labour and the reason is simple, many parents make their kids work to make money. Task Brasil reaches out to children like this, gives guidance to parents by referring them to a network of support services in their local community and helps to educate the children to understand how their lives can be improved by making alternative, positive choices.

Task Brasil has come a long way since its inception and now wants to reach out to schools to advance its cause further. The Schools' Pack is the beginning of that process.

The pack, which is in electronic format, contains information about the charity and the children that we care for including photographs and case studies. It is designed to inform schools about the work of Task Brasil. 

Learning about how children in other parts of the world struggle without school education is of huge benefit and acts to help drive action forward.  Your pupils will learn about children of their age in other societies, gain insight into different education systems and learn about alternative and challenging ways of life.
 
For the children in your schools this is a great opportunity to learn more about the outside world and about life on the streets of Rio.
 
For more information please contact Task Brasil direct on: 020 7735 5545 or info@taskbrasil.org.uk.
Or go to the website www.taskbrasil.org.uk