“Gamboa Ação” creates opportunities for children and teenagers
Social initiatives helping Brazil to grow
By Leila Monteiro Lins | Published 18/09/2182
Photo – Gabriela Caiuby , left, with a group of children from “Gamboa Ação”.
DISCOVER magazine has just started a series of reports showing the importance of social actions for the development of Brazil. The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) “Gamboa Ação”, created by Gabriela Caiuby, from Rio de Janeiro, provides education, sports, leisure and culture for children between the ages of 2 and 16 and proves that small actions can help the country fight poverty.
DISCOVER – How did the idea of creating the “Gamboa Action” project come about?
Gabriela Caiuby – I was in Gamboa, Rio de Janeiro, when I decided to stop and share my food with two girls, ages 7 and 9. I returned to that same square in the following weeks, and from the interaction I had with the different children who were always there, I had the idea to offer them activities that would keep them off the streets as well.
DISCOVER – How many children are currently being assisted by the NGO ?
Caiuby – We currently have 53 children between the ages of 2 and 16, and out of this total, only two were not in school. Unfortunately, schools were not available in their neighbourhood.
DISCOVER – You were invited to present the results of your two years of work at the UNICEF Student Conference in Paris in April this year. What was highlighted at the conference on “Children on the street, what is the future”?
Caiuby – We have been able to verify through our work that many children and adolescents who were illiterate are now beginning to read and write; others who were involved in petty theft and lived off of prostitution chose to change their lives and became interested in the activities offered by “Gamboa Ação”. The level of aggression has been reduced, as the kids take refuge and are always welcome here.
DISCOVER – How can people help “Gamboa Ação”?
Caiuby – There are 2 ways: the first one is through volunteer work in the areas we serve; and the second one is through financial aid. Just click on the link https://goo.gl/bCVQWq and make a contribution.
