| Fact File | - Voice For Change was founded by one of the trustees, Keith Colman of Bawdeswell, in 2004.
- Brazil is the biggest country in South America.
- Social conditions are harsh in the big cities Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, where a third of the population lives in favelas, or slums.
- Favela buildings are usually wooden shacks no bigger than the average garage, often housing up to 12 people across three generations.
- Lack of education means they have little opportunity to learn skills which could help them find employment.
- Voice For Change works to provide homes, educational, practical and social skills to the children in Brazil.
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After a busy couple of years completing my A-levels, working at the BBC in Norwich and lots more, I decided it was important for me to have a year out before uni and try my best to help others and see the world a bit more. So I embarked on several months of voluntary work in Brazil and here I am in this huge South American country filling you in on the charity, Voice For Change. There are two vital links between Norfolk and Brazil. Firstly there are those infamous colours, yellow and green, that represent the Norwich City football team and the country of Brazil: flag, football and all. Secondly, the most important link between these two worlds is in the form of a Norfolk-based charity that works with abandoned and abused children. The charity is called Voice For Change. Keith Colman, from Bawdeswell, was a founding trustee five years ago, and he and his wife Denise became joint directors of the project in 2004. Immense poverty Brazil is a country of great diversity and contrast. The paradise beaches of the north and the natural beauty that lurks beneath the canopies of the jungle seem like a world away from the grime and immense poverty that is visible in the ramshackle towns called favelas, which surround the larger cities of Brazil.
 | | Child at Voice For Change charity |
Within these slum-like areas, people live in terrible conditions, and have to cope with bad hygiene, poor family planning, gang violence and drugs. These can be very unsafe environments for children. Voice For Change is here to try to help these children and provide them with hope of a better life. The charity owns two houses in the southern city of Curitiba. A couple live in each house with their own children and several foster children as well. At present there are 10 children in total. Often these kids have been abused or neglected and need to be cared for and brought up in a stable environment. These houses provide a safe home, the children are loved and able to lead normal lives. Near to death Two-year-old Rafa was near to death when she was found by the Brazilian social services and after some time in hospital was sent to one of the charity's safe houses. I met her when she first arrived. She wouldn't smile, speak or play with the other children - there was a wariness about her, that was heartbreaking to see in such a young girl.
 | | Children enjoying the music activities |
Six months on and Rafa laughs, her permanent frown has disappeared and a normal, child-like persona is visible. She has 'parents' who care for her and 'brothers and sisters' who protect and play with her. Another important task that the charity has undertaken is work within the favelas - the slum housing areas - where many of these children come from. The charity has set up a centre in a favela in Curitiba that provides activities for the local children to participate in. By doing this they are not faced with the dangers that forever lurk on the streets. It can prevent the kids getting into gangs or abusing drugs. Hope for a better life The project focuses on the areas that the Brazilian education system doesn't cover, such as art and crafts, music, dance and English. Not only are the children provided with skills, but they are shown there are other possibilities outside the favelas.
Voice for Change has achieved so much in such a short period of time, but there is a lot more to do and without the funding they need they are restricted. It is crucial that this charity continues to grow. A sponsor a child scheme is now up and running for anyone who wants to help.
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