Theatre improves Health Inequities in Brazil

Summary

Shows are staged monthly for community outreach and to educate public about basic health and citizen rights, in a community plagued by lack of education, poverty, alcoholism and child prostitution.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The project directly serves 120 families and their children from Pernambuco, Recife, in northeastern Brazil. This area has a high migration rate to other urban centers for jobs. It has high rates of murder among its youth, unemployment, domestic violence and alcoholism. Illiteracy rates are 40% in poor communities. There is child prostitution (children sell themselves for as little as $1 to eat) and malnutrition. The average family income is $130 in U.S. dollars.

How will this project solve this problem?

Community education through "spectacular" shows put on by the project. With the help of other NGOs, themes include: conflict resolution, sex and health education, STDs, human rights, and drug prevention--all in the form of entertainment.

Potential Long Term Impact

Community gatherings in the square will educate its residents on existing social, health and educational possibilities. The shows will introduce them to solutions that will make a lasting impact on all aspects of the community's development.

Project Message

When the government neglects their responsibilities to the welfare of its citizens, the only recourse are movements by grassroots social workers to educate the population and hopefully make an impact
- Christine Clauser, Director of Development

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources