Brazil
Since 1992
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, covering almost half of the South American continent, with a population of over 215 million. Despite a high HDI of 0.754, the country is characterised by very high inequalities. In 1990, following an exploratory mission and a meeting with Father Willemsen, MAP financed the operation of a night shelter for homeless young people in the Niteroi district, the ‘Santa Devota Centre’, for several years. In 1995, Father Renato Chiera, founder of Casa do Menor in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, who was deeply involved in the rehabilitation of street youth and drug addicts, presented his projects to MAP. A farm school was built to launch a training and rehabilitation programme. Since then, MAP has helped build and operate the Casas Lares, “family homes” run by “social parents” who help a dozen children escape the hell of the street and drugs. Renovation of reception houses, refurbishment of sports fields and works to refurbish the Cultural Centre among others. In 2019, MAP funded the construction of a sports complex in Rosa dos Ventos, with rooms dedicated to professional workshops and training. These were launched in 2002, with the construction of a bakery workshop, and then in 2007 with the support of the Monegasque Cooperation for professional training in locksmithing and aluminium for 80 disadvantaged adolescents and young people. Until today, professional workshops in mechanics, electricity, hairdressing, IT or administration are financed annually by MAP. Each year, more than 2,000 young people receive the tools they need to reintegrate into society. In 35 years, more than 100,000 young people have received vocational training. In 2020 and 2021, emergency aid has been granted to Casa do Menor to deal with the spread of COVID-19 and thus help the most vulnerable families.
Mission
In 2012, a MAP delegation participated in the 25th anniversary celebrations of Casa do Menor. In 2015, the administrator responsible for Brazil went on a mission to monitor the projects. In October 2016, Mrs. Donatella Campioni and Mrs. Pilar Klemm, in charge of Brazil, participated in Casa do Menor's 30th anniversary celebrations. The most recent visits took place in October 2023, attended by Ms. Donatella Campioni, Ms. Pilar Klemm, Mr. Ryter, and two members of MAP, to inaugurate the new Miguel Couto dining hall, and then in November 2025, for the inauguration of the new Irma Celina Community Center.
Ongoing projects
Enhancing the Mobility of Casa do Menor Teams
Rio De Janeiro
Community Development
2024
39.000
For more than thirty years, MAP has supported Casa do Menor’s efforts to assist the most vulnerable children and youth in Rio de Janeiro’s disadvantaged neighborhoods. Operating in several municipalities, the organization carries out educational, cultural, and health activities tailored to the needs of each community. To ensure the continuity of these on-the-ground efforts and to facilitate the teams’ travel to reach beneficiaries, MAP has funded the purchase of a new vehicle. This mode of transportation will improve access to the services offered and strengthen the daily support provided to young people and their families.
Objectives
- To facilitate the travel of Casa do Menor’s teams.
- To ensure the continuity of educational, cultural, and health initiatives.
- To improve young people’s access to the various services offered.
- To strengthen support for beneficiaries in the various communities.
Beneficiaries
- Children and young people supported by Casa do Menor.
- Families benefiting from the association’s programs.
- Educational and social teams working in several municipalities.
Activities carried out
- Purchase of a new vehicle for field teams.
- Organization of travel to the various intervention sites.
- Strengthening educational, cultural, and health initiatives.
- Improving beneficiaries’ access to Casa do Menor’s activities and services.
Recent funding
39,000 €
Vocational training workshops for 400 young people
Miguel Couto
Community development
05/07/2023
51.747
MAP has been supporting vocational training workshops since 2002. These training courses enable the most vulnerable young people, often in street situations and drug addicts, to envisage a future and a social reintegration. The courses thus serve as a drug prevention device.
Courses in metalwork, mechanics, cooking, hairdressing, computers, baking and administration last for 6 months and are completely free. Before the health crisis, enrolment was around 1,200 students per term. As a result of the restrictions and measures put in place, approximately 800 young people are now being trained each quarter, giving each of them the opportunity to write a new chapter in their history.
In July 2023, renovation work began on the Miguel Couto dining hall to create a key space for interaction among trainers, Casa do Menor staff, and program participants, where the latter can also receive a daily meal.
Objectives
Ensure the socio-professional integration of 400 young people.
Beneficiaries
400 young people
The entire community
Staff and instructors
Activities carried out
Preparation, delivery, and development of 160 hours of professional training and psychosocial support over 6 months to ensure the follow-up and success of enrolled youth
Distribution of materials tailored to the training programs, including courses in administrative assistance, human resources, hairdressing, building electrical work, automotive electrical and mechanical work, as well as cultural, sports, and dance workshops
Organization of educational sessions on cross-cutting themes related to substance abuse, community discussions, and events
Renovation of the Miguel Couto dining hall: complete renovation of the building, as well as the purchase of new furniture to furnish the space.
Recent funding
Since 2018: € 409,219
Complete renovation of the Irma Celina Community Center
Miguel Couto
Community Development
30/07/2024
78.2
Continuing MAP’s support for the vocational training and social reintegration of disadvantaged young people in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, this project to completely renovate the Irma Celina Community Center will provide better care for these young people.
The project is part of Casa do Menor’s community development and professionalization program. Thanks to this new structure, more than 120 children and young people a day, aged from 6 to 24, will be welcomed and supervised by specialized educators.
The center will offer educational, cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities on a daily basis. Thanks to this support, beneficiaries are encouraged to follow the path of schooling, training and the construction of long-term life projects.
Objectives
Complete renovation of a community center to promote social reintegration.
Beneficiaries
120 teenagers and young adults per day
The entire community
Activities carried out
Complete renovation and remodeling of the Center to enable the provision of activities for beneficiaries
Organization of recreational, sports, and educational activities to promote social reintegration
Academic and psychosocial support for disadvantaged youth in need of guidance
Recent funding
2024 : 80.200 €
Promotion of social and solidarity-based entrepreneurship and the creation of microenterprises
Miguel Couto
Community Development
02/01/2022
13.316
MAP has been supporting vocational training workshops since 2002. These training courses enable the most vulnerable young people, often in street situations or drug addicts, to envisage a future and a social reintegration. The courses thus serve as a drug prevention device. Courses in metalwork, mechanics, cooking, hairdressing, computers, baking and administration last for 6 months and are completely free. Before the health crisis, enrolment was around 1,200 students per term. As a result of the restrictions and measures put in place, approximately 800 young people are now being trained each quarter, giving each of them the opportunity to write a new chapter in their history.
The project is part of Casa do Menor’s community development and professionalisation programme, and aims to create work opportunities for young people from socially vulnerable communities and the promotion of an entrepreneurial culture in contrast to the violent culture of the Brazilian suburbs. Young people trained in vocational courses often try their hand at independent entrepreneurial initiatives, but without success due to lack of follow-up and funding.
The project therefore comes as a second phase in the process of integrating young people by training them to manage their own individual micro-enterprises, with little investment. This technical training, which supports young people who have already received vocational training, will enable them to start their own business.
Objectives
Supporting and accompanying the entrepreneurial initiatives of young people being monitored.
Beneficiaries
60 adolescents and young people
The entire community
Activities carried out
Organizing awareness-raising and selection sessions for young people who wish to start their own business
Developing short vocational training programs to teach participants specific technical skills
Planning an entrepreneurial venture through the creation of a business plan Providing follow-up and psychosocial support to empower young people and prevent them from dropping out midway through the program
Recent funding
Since 2022 : 65.748 €