Solar
Meninos de Luz – a model for education in Brazil
Solar is unique in Rio in that it provides full-time education
for at-risk children and young people throughout their
childhoods. Its aim is 'to prevent the destruction of the
potential with which every child is born'. ABC has supported
the programme of music and capoeira classes.
Morning sessions are spent on basic education and afternoons are dedicated to cultural, sporting and arts
activities. Solar is proficient in its arts education and has
recently initiated a Youth Orchestra.
Children develop a sense of their own abilities and a
real level of expectation and hope for the future. They
go on to further study and professional jobs, while maintaining
a desire to help their communities.
| Region: |
Rio de Janeiro |
| Type of Work: |
Education and the arts; building self-esteem;
developing the community |
| No of children: |
400 |
| Other beneficiaries: |
Families; Community. To date, over
2400 children and their families have benefited |
| Age range: |
3 months-18 years, boys and girls |
| Founded: |
1983; school established in 1991 |
complementary
education
ABC supports arts-based activites, offering activities for 400 children:
- Capoeira classes for 58 children aged 9-18 years.
Develops respect, discipline and patience, and promotes
knowledge of Afro-Brazilian culture
- All pre-schoolers participate in music education:
more than 100 children are introduced to a wide variety
of instruments, including recorders, drums and guitars.
- Other instrumental classes: ABC provided enough
instruments for all the students in percussion, wind
and string classes.
- Percussion classes are held in partnership with
Monobloco, one of the most well-known and loved percussion
groups in Brazil
- The recent creation of a youth orchestra in partnership
with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, to teach children
about classical music
- The theatre puts on frequent shows for the local
community
a holistic approach
- Social assistance, including health care and family
support
- Meeting basic needs, for example supplying three meals per
day, as well as concern for children's physical
and mental health
- An agreement with the state university that if
a student graduates from the school, he or she is guaranteed
acceptance and a full scholarship
news stories
 |
January 2008 | project update
Solar celebrate an end of year ceremony with
performances from all the different year groups - all of which were attended by their families and the surrounding community. |
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may 2007 | project update
Solar celebrates the graduation from high school of its first nursery class, and establishes a new initiative with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra |
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