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Janelle is describing her first three days volunteering with Mais Caminhos, as she goes to the beach with the kids and help them with their creativity and art skills.

Catching up with Davi we learned that 2015 was a great year for him and his sibilings. Everyone is doing great at school and the atmosphere at home is really good. Davi is working at Caminhos Language Centre and is enjoying his job. Great news worth sharing.

2015 was a great year for Mais Caminhos. We achieve many goals with our programs, such as the On-Site Educational Programme, helping underprivileged kids from nearby favelas; Mais Caminhos Brave Kids, where 6 kids went to Poland on a intercultural program; and Mais Caminhos Family, helping Davi’s family with housing and financial support.

Imagine you are a kid living in Rio’s favelas. You don’t have the same access to basic need, such as transportation and education, than other people living in most privileged neighborhoods. These kids get angry, sad and aggressive very easily. Even if you are theoretically prepared to deal with them, in reality you’re not. It takes time and willpower to learn how to deal with these kids and the best way to help them.

Dante Larini volunteered at Mais Caminhos as a photographer but couldn’t just look at the kids and take pictures, he felt the need to participate and socialize with them.

Escola Municipal Holanda had a day of celebration planned having Holland as the main theme. Davi was there to share with the kids his experiences and adventures of living in the Nederlands for a year and the kids were very enthusiastic about learning more about his exchange program.

A day before kids went to Poland for the Brave Kids program, Mais Caminhos welcomed O Globo, a famous newspaper in Brazil, at their location to talk about the social project and the cultural exchange program.

After a hard process and long waits, Davi has now full custody of his three younger siblings. He is working a full time job at Caminhos Language Centre and is now able to provide for his family. He rented an apartment and now he, his brothers and sister can live together as a family supposed to be.

During the months of June/July, it’s a tradition in Brazil to have parties to celebrate the country life, known as Festa Junina. These celebrations mix many good brazilian things such as food, music, dance, costumes and games. Teachers and students of Caminhos joined in a big group to celebrate Festa Junina with typical clothes and lots of fun.

Mais Caminhos’ kids comes from families who don’t have enough money to live in a safe place in Rio, that’s why they live in the favelas. These favelas are constantly in danger because of the drug trafficking presence and police confrontation. When shootings start, volunteers need to take care of the kids until it’s safe for them to come home. It’s a scary scenery and yet to common for these kids.