Brazil-Education and the path out of poverty

from the Brown County Democrat

By MARYLIN DAY

Early in January 2008, a group of students from Franklin College visited Brazil to further their education in cultural and sociological studies. I accompanied the group led by professors, Dr. David Chandler and Dr. Jason Jimerson. We learned a great deal about this vast country and it’s history, society and people.

Brazil is a tapestry of colors, textures and music. As a relatively new republic (1889), the history of Brazil, since the Portuguese came in search of gold and silver, has been a turmoil of dictatorships, monarchies and coups. Today the mix of peoples constantly influences this emerging, growing country. The current economy is increasing, dramatically and chaotically, almost like a child learning to ride a bike for the first time.

With the influx of many different peoples, few countries can match the diversity of religions evident in Brazil. While Catholicism is the dominant formal religion, there are multitudes of other religious practices. There is an historical and cultural mix of religions. Afro-Brazilian Christians may incorporate some ideas of the West African religions brought over during the slave trade times. It has only been four or five generations since slaves were used by the large landowners, and “black magic”, soothsayers and witches are still involved and respected.

The city we visited with the most diversity was Salvador in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The largest slave trading market in South America was located here until slavery was abolished in 1889 and it has the largest population of Afro-Brazilians. Nearly 50 percent of the population is poor with 75 percent of the poor being descendents of the slaves.

Huge favelas (or slums) with conditions unbelievable to us have millions of inhabitants that barely survive. Drug dealers and gangs may “own” a favela and fight for the right to sell drugs to the rich people in the city center. Our guide led us through a favela and discretely pointed out several local drug dealers, usually young men in their 20s or 30s.

As heard numerous times through missionaries, guides, books and newspapers, the way out of poverty is through education. Although Brazil has a booming economy (particularly in manufacturing) the poor lack educational opportunities. Today’s manufacturers require skilled employees to operate computers and robotic equipment.

The Brazil state of Brasilia is a sister diocese to the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. While I was unable to visit this diocese directly, the Brasilia Bishop, Mauricio Andrade, gave us the name of a local missionary who would help us contact the Episcopal/Anglican priest operating an after-school educational program supported by the Episcopal /Anglican Church in the Salvador Diocese.

According to our missionary contact in Salvador, Mara Manzoni, Senior Programme Officer of Christian Aid — an ecumenical British and Irish agency, 5000 families (from the original Portuguese settlers) control 75% of the wealth in Brazil. The government caters to this segment with the improvements in the infrastructure rather than caring for the poor. Highways, internet, and electricity benefit these wealthy landowners. However, these improvements do nothing for the poor – public hospitals are dismal, sanitation in slums is nearly non-existent and children are provided a public education only two or three hours daily.

Since there is little support for the poor by the government, many underground economies and grassroots movements are emerging. Daycare facilities and educational programs supported by churches and other local initiatives are increasing in the slum areas. We visited Paroquia Anglicana Cristo Salvador church on Itaparica Island run by a local Episcopal/Anglican priest, Rev. Bruno.

The small church was also a school, meeting house, kitchen, and community room. Children are provided a hot meal daily, a further two to three hours of school and homework assistance. Many of their parents cannot read or write, so after school help is imperative. Additionally, healthy living habits are encouraged and women are instructed in local craft making for items to sell at market for more income.

Locally, based in the Indianapolis Episcopal Diocese, another grassroots organization called the Tri-Parish Coalition — St. Paul’s, Columbus; St. David’s, Bean Blossom, and Trinity, Bloomington — has joined together to support the Millennium Development Goals and specifically education in Brazil.

Collaborating and pooling the necessary funds, we are able to send $2,400 annually to our sister diocese and a parish in Anapolis, Brasilia to aid with the cost of a similar after-school education program. Originally intended to help 30 to 35 children, the program has expanded, with support of the local government, to 90 children. Public officials viewed the curriculum and saw its success and agreed to commit funds to the project. It has become a model for other areas of the country.

Education will enable these children to succeed. Already, since the program’s inception, children educated with the help of such programs are returning to mentor a new group of children. The Tri-Parish Coalition has committed their support to this program for three years. Working together, we can help all those in need of the basic necessities.

Marylin Day is the Tri-Parish Coalition representative from St. David’s Episcopal Church in Bean Blossom. She may be reached via e-mail at bcdguest@bcdemocrat.com. The opinions voiced there are those of the author, not the newspaper.