Viva
A Vida
– helping substance abusing street children in
Brazil
Life on Brazil's streets often goes hand-in-hand
with drug use from a very young age. Glue sniffing,
marijuana and even crack are common
– at once both a
means of escape and the chains which keep them on the
street. Viva a Vida works with young boys to break the
vicious cycle of addiction.
An intensive support programme guides them through their
battles with addiction and prepares them for a life
where they can support themselves and stay off the streets.
As part of ABC's work with street children we
have provided funding for core costs and introduced this project
to other organisations in our network.
| Region: |
Salvador, Bahia. |
| Type of Work: |
Residential drug rehabilitation and education |
| No of children: |
50 per year |
| Other beneficiaries: |
150 family members, 400 community
members in outreach programme. |
| Age range: |
10-16 years, boys. New girls centre in 2008 |
| Founded: |
2003 and as a residential centre in 2005 |
in depth strategic approach
Treatment involves all aspects of life with therapeutic
treatment to understand and address their addiction.
Education and professional training prepare the children
for when they leave the programme and counseling is
offered to family members who are in touch with the
children. Viva a Vida works to ensure that all graduates
from their programme find work experience placements.
early intervention and prevention
Another feature of Viva a Vida's work is prevention.
Along with a group of boys from Viva a Vida, staff members
go into schools giving talks about substance abuse.
The boys are the stars of the talks as they share their
life stories and answer questions from the other children.
news stories
 |
january 2008 | project update
Viva a Vida have worked with 78 boys since its establishment and aims towards opening a centre for girls. |
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january 2007 | project update
Viva a Vida celebrates the graduation of three boys from their drug rehabilitation programme |
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july 2006 | project update
ABC supporter Will Henley recently visited Viva a Vida and gives us some of his thoughts |
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