2010 April

When It Rains It Pours…

It is the rainy season in Brazil, and the rains continue to cause destruction for those people who already live on the edge of survival.  Pictures of floods in Rio have been shared by many news sources.  Harder to find are pictures of the rains that are now hitting Salvador.  I read one source yesterday that said that schools in Salvador were caused due to flooding in the streets.  Indeed, we have experienced no luck getting through on the phones to Rita at the Bahia Street Center.  Phone lines become unreliable when the weather turns.  We will continue to monitor the situation and offer help as we can.

Rita has begun an evening class for 22 high school students.  She determined at the end of last year that more support was needed to help high school-age girls get the education they need to get into university.  They are receiving education in math, science, biology, and chemistry, as well as mentoring and social support as they have less time at the Center and find their own way in their public high schools.  We are funding this program through donations and a grant that we received from the Oak Foundation in Switzerland.

And lastly, those of your in Seattle– mark your calendars!  The 2nd annual Summer Beat dance party is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 11th, at the Youngstown building in West Seattle.  All funds raised will support Bahia Street’s mission ending cycles of poverty and violence in Brazil.  More information to come!