Brazil's - Children At Risk Foundation

The Children at
Risk Foundation is
WHAT
The shocking number of street children to
be seen everywhere is one of the things
that strike tourists immediately they arrive
in Brazil. And if the children seem cynical
and indifferent, they are only reflecting
the attitudes of the grown-ups who take
advantage of them.
an organisation that
WHO
HOW
Gregory Smith went to Norway from England as an as an exchange student in
works among the
street children of
São Paulo, Brazil.
of Gregory
Smith andCARF
But he gave it all up to found the Children at Risk Foundation making a more
1971. He liked it so much that he stayed there. He enjoyed a variety of differ-
dramatic mid-life career change than most of us ever dream of, let alone achieve.
ent careers, as production designer for the theatre and films, as restorer of
pictures and antiques, as a social worker and as an art dealer.
Photo: Eirik Brekke

Brazil’s
ABANDONED
This estimate is probably low, but Smith rescued from the streets.
nevertheless shows that the problem of He was also the central character in
street children is a serious one. Street one of CARF's documentary films depict-
children are a heart-rending sight in ing their work in São Paulo. In 1999
Brazil, and the extent of the problem Wender was shot down and killed in cold
is greater than any of us can imagine. blood. His role and destiny became a
parallel to that of the more famous film
There are street children in all corners star Fernando Ramos da Silva (“Pixote”).
of the globe. But Brazil's street children Both were street boys, both were proba-
have attracted particular attention, bly killed by the police, and both were
mainly because of the brutality and only 19 years old when they died.
indifference with which they are treat- The film about Pixote was a shock to
ed by Brazilian officialdom.
many, mostly because it was a realistic
The problem first became well depiction of the lives of young street
known through Hector Babenco's film children in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
"Pixote" in the early 80's, in which The problem of street children is a seri-
street children played the main parts. ous one. They are a heart-rending sight
Wender was the first child Gregory in Brazil, and the extent of the problem
WHO
n iers the and large pushers cities, for street drug children dealers, are whilst used at as the
Sandra, 8, during her last escape from the Humming
Bird Recuperation Centre in 1994.
are the
street children?
Due to the lack of records, we do not
know clearly when the phenomenon of
the ‘street child’ sprang up. These children
only started to attract attention at
the beginning of the 1970's.
Who are they?
Are they children without parents? In
fact, we can put them into several different
groups: some have left their families
in exchange for the streets; some
still live occasionally with their families;
and some make their living on the
streets. No matter which category they
fall into, these are children who do not
share the accepted goals of society or
who have dropped out of society altogether.
drug dealers, whilst at the same time becoming good
ves. Many of the children CARF has taken care of ha
crack users.
CHILDREN
In the São Paulo area alone, where CARF works in Brazil, it is
estimated that there are about 15,000 street children.
is greater than any of us can imagine.
The large numbers of street children
everywhere are one of the first things
that strike visitors to Brazil when they
arrive in the country. And if these children
seem cynical, it is only because
they are reflections of the grown-ups
who exploit them.
In the large cities, street children
are used as couriers and pushers for drug
dealers, whilst at the same time becoming
good customers themselves. Many
of the children CARF has taken care of
have been active crack users. These are
children with no lower age limit. In São
Paulo there is a strong suspicion that
even policemen are behind a lot of the
crack trafficking among street children.
Sandra, 8, during her last escape from the Humming Bird
Recuperation Centre in 1994. She had to spend six months on
the streets before she was allowed back. It was a tough lesson
for this strong and stubborn young girl.
shot and
killed
Many of the organisations in Brazil’s
Photo: Roar Christiansen
happy and united family.
large cities are unsuccessful in getting It is time the spotlight was turned
the children off the streets. On the con- fully onto the problem of street children
trary, they far too often make the street in Brazil.
an attractive place to be. When they Through a process of trial and error,
are offered food, clothes, blankets and CARF has since its inception in 1993
short-term activities, Many the of the children organisations dis- in gained Brazil’s vital large experience. cities are unsuccessful As a result, in getting the children
off the streets. On the contrary, they far too often make the street an attractive
cover that the place streets to be. are When a better they place are offered today food, CARF clothes, actually blankets gets children and short-term off activities, the
children discover that the streets are a better place to be than at home with their biolog-
to be than at ical home families. with their At the biological same time, the one streets of their and mkost its methods fervent have wishes is to be part of a happy
and united family.
families. At the It same is time time, the one spotlight of theirwas
turned aroused fully interest onto not the only problem in Brazil, of street butchildren
in Brazil.
most fervent Through a process of trial and error, CARF has since its inception in 1993 gained
vital wishes experience. is to be part As of a result, a today also CARF beyond actually the country's gets children borders. off the streets and its

STREET CHILDR
HOW
careers, such as production designer
customers themselve
been active
did it happen?
Gregory came to Norway for the first Foundation.
police violence are all part of the lives
time in 1971 as an exchange student. In 1993 Gregory moved to Brazil to of children even as young as three.
He enjoyed it so much that he stayed. start the project. He came to São Paulo Today, on the property at Diadema,
He followed a variety of different with his son Marcus and started the ACER provides support to local at-risk
search for a good place to establish community children which guarantees
for the theatre and films, as a restorer CARF's recuperation centre for street them a dignified life with schooling and
of pictures and antiques, as a social children. A benevolent and committed healthy activities.
worker and as an art dealer.
lawyer from the city left him as a legacy With Jonathan Hannay, anthropologist
a smallholding with
and organisation co-
After a few years he moved to Os, near a large house and
ordinator from
Bergen, with his wife and children. outbuildings, as
England at the helm,
There he bought an old school building well as enough land
ACER runs partnership
which he renovated impressively and for football and
programmes in co-
transformed into his family home. other sports, near a
operation with the local
In 1992 he realised an old dream: to reservoir in the
and federal government.
use his resources and work experience neighbouring com-
CARF & ACER have
to help children in another part of the munity of Diadema,
already gained their
world. After 20 years he decided to one of São Paulo’s
names locally in
leave Norway to start a so-called recu- suburbs.
São Paulo and Diadema
peration centre for homeless children But the property had to be com- and Gregory (as CARF’s representative) was
living on the streets of Brazil's largest pletely restored, and Gregory’s original publicly elected a councillor on the
In 1993 Gregory moved to Brazil to start the project. He came to São Paulo with his son Marcus and started the search for a good place to establish
CARF's recuperation city, São centre Paulo. for In street 1992 children. Gregory A estab- benevolent training and committed as an architect lawyer stood from him the in city left him Diadema as a legacy Municipal a smallholding Council for with thea
large house
and outbuildings, as well as enough land for football and other sports, near a reservoir in the neighbouring community of Diadema, one of São Paulo’s sub
urbs. But the property lished the had Children to be completely at Risk Foundation restored, and Gregory’s good stead. original And training of course as there an architect were stood Rights him of in Children good stead. and And Adolescents of course in there were th
usual bureaucratic (CARF) difficulties, in Norway, but Gregory and took succeeded drastic in getting the usual permission bureaucratic to stay difficulties, in Brazil, and butCARF's
the Brazilian autumn sister of 1997 organisation, and was re-elected ACER, became a
reality.
Gregory started measures by offering to ensure shelter it had to a enough small group of street Gregory children succeeded in the in Praça getting da Sé, permis- the old cathedral for a further square two where year many term of in the thecity's
street childr
lived. He soon came to know the brutal lives of Brazilian street children. Drugs like cack and glue, sexual abuse and police violence are all part of the liv
of children even money as young by selling as three. his wonderful house sion to stay in Brazil, and in 1993 autumn of 1999.
Today, on the
and
property
auctioned
at Diadema,
off all his
Gregory
furniture
provides
and
a foster
CARF's
home
Brazilian
for a core
NGO,
group
ACER,
of children which guarantees them a dignified life with schooling
and healthy activities. belongings. Together The idea with and Jonathan the auction Hannay, anthropologist was founded and became in 19 organisation a reality. co-ordinator from England, ACER also supports and help
dren from the local community to lead a dignified life. ACER has already gained a name locally in Diadema and Gregory (as ACER’s representative) was
publicly elected generated a councillor much on media the Diadema interest Municipal through- Council Gregory for the started Rights by of offering Children shelter and Adolescents to in the autumn of 1997 and was re-elected fo
further two year term in the autumn of 1999.
Gregory received other positive
out the country, and Gregory’s was soon a small group of street children in the
affirmations of his work when
a well-known name in Norway.
Praça da Sé, the old cathedral square he was chosen as a Fellow of the
A short while later Gregory invited where many of the city's street children world-wide and quality oriented ASHOKA
organisation ASHOKA – Innovators for the
After a few years
fifty
he
of
moved
the best-known
to Os, near
artists
Bergen,
in
with his wife
lived.
and
He
children.
soon came
There
to
he
know
bought
the brutal
an old school Public building in 1999 and which he received he renovated the Melvin impressively and
transformed into Norway his family to donate home. a work of art each for lives of Brazilian street children. Drugs Jones Fellowship in 2000, the highest award
After
In 1992 he realised an old dream: to use his resources and work experience to help children in another part of the world. After 20 years he decided to
leave
Var a Norway few sønnen years to he til
start
ACERs moved a so-called to sekretær Os, recuperation near i Bergen, Brazil, Aparecida
centre with his for wife homeless
de and Souza children. children
Miranda, There living
som he on
har bought the
kjent
streets an Gregory old of school Brazil's
siden building largest
oppstarten
city, which São
av he Paulo.
Eldorado-senteret. renovated In 1992 impressively Gregory
William
estab- and
transformed lished
en
the
offer
Children into for
another
den his family at
meningsløse
successful auction
Risk home. Foundation
volden
in
(CARF)
som
aid
for
of
in
tiden
the
Norway,
sprer
like
and
seg
crack
took
som
and
drastic
en
glue,
pest
sexual
measures
i São Paulo.
abuse and from Lions Club International.
to ensure
William
it had
var
enough
bare nitten
money
år
by
gammel
selling his
da han
wonderful
og en
house
seksten
an
å
Estetikk auctioned In gammel 1992 og kvalitetsbevisstgjøring he off venninne realised all his furniture an brutalt
ndommens
old dream: av potensial. barna er nøkkelor
Eldorado-senteret
and ble belongings. skutt to use ned his og
er
The resources drept idea mens and the work de auction denne experience natten generated to sto help much utenfor children media inngangsdøren in interest another through-out part til of den the unge the world. country, pikens After hjem. and 20 years Gregory’s Det he var decided was en voldte
ktsforbryter som drepte William fordi han antagelig sto i veien for det som skulle komme. Venninnen ble deretter drept og voldtatt soon to
leave Norway to start a so-caation centre for homeless I likhet children med William living on var the Wender streets of også Brazil's glad largest i å tegne. city, Skolebøkene São Paulo. In 1992 ble flittig Gregory dekorert established med små the kun
Children i denne at Risk rekkefølge. Foundation, and took drastic measures verk når to skoletimene ensure it had ble enough litt for money kjedelige by selling for ham. his wonderful house.
The Hummingbird Recuperation Centre, with its unique
atmosphere, is a place of adventure for all visiting children.
Sandra,
14 years old
in 2000.
Interests:
Theatre,
Ballet,
Capoeira,
Boys,
Hair styles
The combination of this property with our new ideas about treatment has made it easier to
attract these special children. Many of those who participate in our preventive programme
express their desire to live at the Centre. Besides the main shelter, there are many other buildings
that house different activities on the property. In 2003 the independent Brazilian NGO created by
Gregory Smith in 1993 was given full ownership and responsibility for running the centre.
Our aim for the last phase of the Hummingbird Project is to involve a network of specialised
foster homes for recuperated street children, which do not exist in Brazil up to now. The project has
ndompotenmens
been approved by the relevant Brazilian authorities but lacks financing. With new facilities and a
sial.
team who will expedite the process of selecting and preparing foster parents for each child, this will
do-sen- ldora
terlet er fulfill a key requirement in the further development of CARF's work with street children.
Where else could we place the children that CARF rescues from the streets?
A life in an institution is the only alternative that is offered to these children today in Brazil.
CARF hopes that in time the Brazilian authorities will adopt Foster Care Programmes as an
integral part of their structure for social welfare.
HUMMINGBIRD
RECUPERATION CENTRE
The view from the main house
looking at the Billings Reservoir.

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The
HUMMINGBIRD’S is an activity centre for cultural development
and artistic expression against all
types of violence in Brazilian society.
Nest Through the activities that it offers, the centre inspires children The key activities at
and young people to discover abilities and talents that most of them possess, but have few chances to the Centre are:
develop by themselves. This improves their quality of life and is what we so strongly believe to be an
essential factor in our rehabilitation work with street children.
Self-esteem is the key... Those who want to absorb themselves in their newly discovered abilities will,
• Computer graphics & Web Design
– ICT Centre
• Woodworking Workshop for Crafts &
Percussion Instrument Making
as they pass through the different stages of the activities at the centre, gain skills that can help them find • Capoeira Academy
work or develop their own small businesses.
• Hairdressing School specialising
The Brazilian sport of Capoeira is central in CARF’s work to bring back drug-addicted children over in Afro-Brazilian Hair Styling
to a normal life. We still do not know for certain if Capoeira was brought to Brazil by the African slaves • Theatre and Drama Workshops
when they first arrived about 350 years ago or was developed in Brazil itself. The little documentation • Dance and Music Workshops
that exists however, seems to show that Capoeira was developed in Brazil by slaves which is why it was • Painting and Sculpture Workshops
always repressed. Until the 1930s, Capoeira was punished by jail, and any practitioner of the sport was • Hip-Hop Movement "Forevolution"
considered a criminal. Today Capoeira is practised all over the country, from north to south. It has even • Culinary Workshops
at
been adopted by other countries which gives rise to the hope that it will one day become an Olympic sport. • Café, run by the young people
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hildren
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at
risk
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hildren
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at
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Is it really
WORTH
WHILE?
CARF is a small organisation
in a large world.
at
A world where poverty has many faces and
in a way that most of us cannot begin to
Everything they experience, everything they
do affects their development. These stored
By becoming a partner of the Children at
Risk Foundation, you not only help children
understand, we become easily perplexed and experiences become character traits.
in Brazil. You help your own child and your-
then paralysed by all the misery that we see We have a common responsibility for the self. Your contribution will make the whole
in the media. We ask ourselves whether it is world we live in. That is why we must care, world a better place to live in.
really our responsibility to solve other peo- both as grown-ups and as children. That is Misery DOES have many faces. Every
ple’s problems, or perhaps we think we just why it is important that we also let our chil- face belongs to a human being. That is what
do not have the time, or that we can’t as dren join in those activities that show we Gregory Smith and his team have seen –
individuals make any difference. Or perhaps care.
and done something about. Because this is
many of us don’t even have the desire to help. Imagine the basic values a child absorbs not just about children as anonymous statis-
Yet we can all help change what's through recognizing the suffering of other tics. We at CARF know them, to us they are
happening. How?
children and finding that they can help! all individuals! Sandra, Eliana, Jefferson, Fabio
As adults, we don't take to changes easily. Especially when that help really works. In Eduardo, Robison and Vando; they are our family.
We can barely learn a new language (even this way, giving becomes receiving. A
if we do often develop new habits). Our child will never forget. Perhaps in this way And people still ask if it's really worth-
children, on the other hand, can be shaped. children can teach grown-ups something. while!
en at Risk Children at Risk Children at Risk Children at
Children at Risk Children at Risk Children Children at
Children at Risk Children at Risk Children at Risk
ren at Risk Cat
•C•A•R•F• C H I L D R E N A T R I S K F O U N D A T I O N
CHILDREN AT RISK FOUNDATION
CARF BRAZIL
ECBF - Espaço Cultural Beija-Flor
Estrada Pedreira Alvarenga 2343
Eldorao, 09971-340 Diadema - SP, Brasil
Phone: (55)(11) 4049 4440 / 4047 2231
E-mai: carfbrasil@uol.com.br
Web: www.carfweb.net
Blog: www.carfwebnet.blogspot.com
CARF's Information & Resource Network at www.carfweb.net - CAPOEIRA Beija-Flor at: www.carfweb.net/capoeira
For
To receive regular updates by e-mail regarding CARF's work please join our Listserv at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChildrenAtRisk-GLOBAL-SUPPORTERS-NETWORK
CHILDREN AT RISK FOUNDATION
CARF NORWAY
Teatergt.15, 5010 Bergen, Norway
Phone: (47) 55 90 96 90 Fax: (47) 55 90 72 91
E-mail: info@carf.no
Web: www.carf.no
Bankers: Fana Sparebank: Account # 3411.22.82159
William&Wender Memorial Fund:
Account # 3411.08.91700
general information, regular news, events, resources or discussion regarding street children and other children at risk,
please join our Listserv at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChildrenAtRisk-STREETKIDS
Visit our online gallery of more than 650 photos with supplementary information at the United Nations WorldVolunteerWeb:
www.worldvolunteerweb.org/dynamic/cfapps/photo_lib/search/gallery/gallery2.cfm?GalleryID=16709
ASHOKA - Innovators for the Public: Fellow Profile for Gregory J. Smith: www.ashoka.org/fellows/viewprofile3.cfm?reid=96889
Design: Grethe Larre, 2000 - Updated 2004