First week with Meninadança!

As most of you know I am currently volunteering with NGO Meninadança, whom serves 10-18 year old girls and adolescents who are at risk or victims of sexual exploitation, substance abuse and/or negligence. It has been my first full week helping out at the Charity. It has been a week of excitement since I have waited months to be able to be part of this work.

The first few days in the PinkHouse (which is the community outreach house where the girls go daily), I was able to get to know the girls and see the work that they do. There are two groups of girls that come to the house daily; a morning group and afternoon group. The girls spend 4 hours in the Pink House doing activities such as; arts and crafts, dance, theatre, beauty salão and group conversations. Through these activities the goal is to bring restoration and healing to the girls lives whom have already suffered a great deal of pain. The Pink House serves as a means to give hope by focusing on self esteem and giving a place where they can dream for a better future. 

“Dont be the girl that fell. Be the girl that put herself up again”

This first week I have been able to observe the work of the staff from the Pink House, in the methods they reach out to the girls. I have been working alongside the Coordinator/Social Worker of the program, Rita. She is an amazing leader and professional. This week Rita has been training me in what my role will be in the house. Which is to work with the families of the girls and provide trainings/suggestions to the staff in the Pink House.

The girls and staff praying before leaving for the day.

The Pink House where the girls go daily!

Every Month at the Pink House the girls focus on a theme where they are able to express their work and ideas in the activities through out the week. This month the theme is Human Rights. Due to the fact that during the month of May, Brazil focuses on bringing awareness to Child Abuse and Sexual Exploitation. In explaining this theme to the girls, the Amazing Volunteer Artist from the UK, Kim Alexandra is helping the girls express their opinions on Human Rights through some amazing art work! Kim’s art has a foundation of art therapy and it has been such an amazing blessing to have her in the Pink House, and in my life.

This week, Kim has introduced a project where the girls were able to express their opinions onto CardBoard diaries and transferring those frases through Stop Motion Animation. It was amazing to see the girls discuss what they see missing in their community and the justice they hope for the future. CHeck out Kim’s work and travel experience on her blog here.

Here is Kim working with the girls in the Art Project.

This week activities will be presented in the main city square tonight, to commemorate May 18th National Day against Child Sexual Exploitation in Brazil. THe Girls will present a Dance, Skit and their Art Work, where they will be able to show their community that they are also in the fight against child exploitation.

May 18, National Day against Child/Adolescent Sexual Exploitation in Brazil

Four weeks left in this amazing place, before I go back home to fix my Visa! Im Excited for the weeks to Come! 

Check out the pics for this week of the girls working on their activities:

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