Team God Speed !

In only a few years Crescer e Vivir has become one of the most respected and recognised social circus programmes in Brazil. But this description of their work belies the power and influence of their work which reaches far into the community and touches many lives beyond the children that are directly involved in the project. In 2006 ABC Trust provided funding of £10 000 to Crescer e Vivir and in a recent visit, Chief Executive of ABC Trust, Andrew Webb, learned more about their work.

Crescer e Vivir – “To Grow and Live” - uses a circus-arts approach to their work in combination with a wide range of other artistic and cultural activities – including dance, capoeira, music, theatre and literature. Their aims most broadly stated are to improve the life conditions of children and young people at risk and the communities in which they live. The practical results of their work are there for all to see.

Crescer e Vivir was formed out of a Samba school in 2000 when they marked the 10th anniversary of Brazil’s adoption of a wide ranging set of laws and provisions to protect and promote children’s rights. While practically everyone in Brazil will say that they have one of the best legislative frameworks and statement of principles in the world, they also recognise there is a big gap between these and what is actually happening on the streets and in communities across Brazil.

Matheus – showing off his juggling at Crescer e Vivir

Crescer e Vivir started their work in Sao Goncalo area of Rio de Janeiro and based themselves in the local state school which drew pupils from an area of the city which experiences acute poverty and high rates of violence and unemployment. Beyond the many stories of how Crescer e Vivir has changed individual lives perhaps the most dramatic indicator of their success, is that at the beginning of their work there were 200 regular pupils at the school. After 3 years the school had filled to capacity with 1200 pupils enrolled and there is now a waiting list for families keen to have their children benefiting from not only the state provision of basic education but especially the expanded programme of extra-curricular activities and social support provided by Crescer e Vivir.

In recognition of these remarkable results, and the energetic team led by Project Coordinator Junior Perim, Crescer e Vivir subsequently received an invitation from both the city council and the most senior Judge in Rio in charge of the Children’s Court system to expand their work. Crescer e Vivir now work in a central downtown area of Rio, one of the most deprived inner city areas of Rio with drugs trafficking and violence common-place and many children living on the streets and families struggling to break-out of cycles of poverty, poor education health services and high unemployment. The unmissable Circus Big Top which is the stage for their activities is just outside Praca Onze metro station and is in the middle of a neighbourhood which is also home to the Children’s Court, the City Hall, and the Sambodrome (a place where samba schools practice and prepare all year long for the world famous Rio carnival).

Activities are free for all the children who take part - and are carried out 6 days a week. There are a number of activities on offer including: Art and Street Culture – basketball, graffiti, capoeira; Social Circus – circus skills and citizenship classes; and the Artists Life – producing special performances – called ‘spectacularios’. But Crescer e Vivir not only provides educational and development opportunities they also provide access to much needed health care and engage children in talking about citizenship, the environment, drugs, violence, and sexual health

Matheus – demonstrating some new skills at Crescer e Vivir

There is a deliberate policy of mixing children, boys and girls, from different ethnic and social strata. Children are shown how it is possible to overcome differences and prejudices and break what are so often ‘invisible boundaries’ and build bridges not just between individuals but in their communities too. In many cases what the children learn in dance, music, theatre, art and circus skills are also means by which the team at Crescer e Vivir can engage children in dialogue about their lives and how they can overcome sometimes enormous difficulties and make the most of the opportunities presented to them.

During my visit I met a 9 year old boy who on the surface seemed happy and was taking part in the activities - but he was also being watched-over by the tutors with special care and attention. Only a few days previously his brother had been killed, at his home, as part of a gang dispute which turned violent. They told me that he was struggling to come to terms with what had happened – and the real impact would only come in the next few months. But in the meantime they provided continuity, care and attention and hoped to help him get through when the difficult time came.

Frequently through-out the year, the group gives performances in communities, state schools and public spaces as a way of reaching a broader audience and generating not just an evening of entertainment but also pride in the local communities for what has been achieved by their children and young people.

Over time it is clear that the programme is contributing significantly to increased access to health clinics, and other public assistance programmes, increased school attendance and improved grades and a reduction in aggressive behaviour.

The team at Crescer e Vivir are serious about continuing to expand their work and the impact they can achieve. They have weekly review meetings with all staff and volunteers and monthly evaluation of activities in a forum with the full participation of all the children on the project.

The new dining area at Crescer e Vivir complete with ‘circus graffiti’

Their reputation has grown so that they can now persuade many of Brazil’s top circus and art directors to work with them and they are getting some local funding for their work as well as generating an income from performances from later on this summer. Cirque du Soleil, the global circus phenomenon, has also given some support in training and equipment.

In 2006 ABC Trust contributed £10,000 towards some core costs but more importantly to enable Crescer e Vivir to build much needed, office, kitchen and dining space, storage rooms and a basketball court – all decorated as part of their graffiti project.

We are keen to continue our support for Crescer e Vivir and have been approached with a request for further funding this year to fill a gap which if not somehow bridged threatens much of what they have achieved so far. We can only ask that ABC supporters continue their great work in helping us raise the money we need to support Crescer e Vivir as well as other projects to which we are committed. If anyone reading this has a special interest and would like to discuss how to get more involved please contact us.