NEWSLETTER FROM UNIVIDA, BRASIL

Marcia with her year 6 six class What's Happening This Summer? Well, we are so glad you asked!   Here is a quick run down of some of UNiViDA’s activities in recent weeks and what’s ahead for July and August.   Year 6 Class Marcia is a new teacher who started volunteering at The University of Life. She was such a great addition to the team that we decided we didn’t want to lose her. Fortunately the opportunity arose for us to create a new afternoon class for year 6, meaning we could divide the previously joined 6th and 7th year group.  Marcia is doing a great job and did we mention, she speaks some English too! Journalists on the Loose Year 8 and 9 have taken their learning outside the classroom with a journalism project. This has been a part of a strategic effort by teachers to create hands on learning and language development. Reading and writing continues to be a struggle for children growing up in the slums who never really develop a love for reading simply because books are so difficult and expensive to come by. The students have already interviewed Ruth on the subject of project work and have been catching other staff members  off guard for some on the job words of wisdom.   Looking Ahead Students return to The University of Life in August and even though they don’t know it yet, they will have a visiting mission team to welcome them back. Hot on the heals of their return we’ll be holding a special event for Fathers Day when we’ll be sharing the Gospel with Dads and holding a football tournament. I don't like photos (really?!) Elaine with two of her teachers at The University of Life   Sit Down Elaine It’s a challenge to keep 12 year old Elaine in one place for very long but with the help of two University of Life teachers, we sat down with her recently to ask a few questions about what the project means to her. This is what she said. “I’ve been here since I was 6 years old and before that there were so many difficult moments in my life. If I had to talk about my life it would be impossible to do it without talking about The University of Life because it means everything to me. Here I have found friends and love like I have never known. They have adopted me, care about me and always work with a smile on their face and by giving their best. I’ve found Christ’s love for me and I am eternally grateful. The University of Life is a real example of unity - it’s a family. I love everything here except or running during PE lessons! My passion is theatre and music. I’ve written 4 songs for the student band, Kadosh. One of the songs is about living a holy life because God is holy. When I grow up, I want to be an actress. The University of Life is absolutely the best thing that has happened to me in my life. Outside there are a lot of problems but I forget them here and feel like another kind of life is possible. I’m so thankful to the people that had the idea of making this place, it’s given me breath in my lungs.” Elaine is a bright, energetic girl with many talents. We are so thankful to have her at the project. Please pray that she will continue to apply herself in her schooling and make good decisions about her time and activities as she enters her teenage years.   A Picture of the Favela Favelas are characteristic of nearly every major Brazilian city. They are informal housing settlements which are unplanned, un-healthy and un-governed. This means that they are under-served by public services such as healthcare. education and law enforcement. These communities have learned to govern themselves and become a breeding ground for crime because they are easy to hide in. Sanitation is poor and disease is rampant. Barefooted children walk in homes and on streets shared with animals, sewage, rodents and waste. Homes are simple and small. Two or three dark rooms house extended families with nowhere else to go. Unemployment is high, as is alcoholism and domestic violence. Children are exposed to stress, trauma and family breakups, multiple times. Many parents are still teenagers themselves. Hunger is common, and many families survive on a government hand out and food parcel which barely provides rice, beans, oil, coffee and gas to last the month. Can you imagine the confusion an average teenager here has about their self-worth and citizenship? Your support helps answer the questions of 260 students each day, equipping them with the skills and character they need to succeed.   We couldn’t do this without you. Thanks for your support. Become a Dreambuilder - click here to set up a standing order PRINT THIS EMAIL AS A PDF, PRINTER FRIENDLY DOCUMENT

Become a Dreambuilder - click here to set up a standing order Please visit and 'like' the UNIVIDA Facebook Page VIRGIN MONEY GIVING     Dreambuilders is the name of our monthly giving programme because through your support we are able to build the dreams of a child living in the favela. To set up a standing order and become a Dream BUILDER, download our Giving Form Email UK Anne Salway: office@univida.org Email Brazil: ruth.marques@univida.org THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT