Brazil: Escola Anael
Equipment for the school hall at Escola Anael
To make full use of the newly built school hall and all-purpose room, the school Escola Anael needs some financial support. The stage itself is already built, but the school and students still need a light system for the stage (about 1,500 Euros), a stage curtain (about 3,000 Euros) and a sound system (about 1,500 Euros) to fully equip the hall. As houses in the area are typically not really soundproof, the acoustics are poor and they often have to use to microphones and loudspeakers for performances. The school also needs about 150 chairs for the audience, which will cost about 2,000 euros in total, and an air-conditioning system (about 2,000 euros) as it can get very hot in the region. To give an example: They celebrate Christmas at about 40° Celsius, St. John's Day at 25° Celsius. The summer climate determines the life in Brazil for about nine months of the year.
“We are very grateful for every donation, no matter how small - it brings us one step closer to our goal!”
About the project
Várzea da Roça is a small town of 12,000 souls almost at the end of the world. It is located 300 kilometres northwest of Salvador da Bahia in Brazil's hinterland, which is characterised by extreme poverty and rural depopulation.
Since 2007, committed people have been working there to set up a Waldorf project. In small steps and with a lot of enthusiasm, they have succeeded in setting up a two-group kindergarten and a Waldorf school up to grade 6. This year (2022) fifteen staff members will look after 150 children. In 2011, the school has become an UNESCO school and they participate in many, mostly environmentally related projects.
Unfortunately, the children and young people of the region live in great poverty. As an extreme contrast to their daily life, they see the rich illusory world spread in the (social) media. One of the results of this is that they get an unrealistic view on the world and hope for an unattainable future. Realising that they cannot reach this many become more and more passive, demotivated, resigned and depressed. A fertile ground for the crime that prevails in the area. Disoriented young people and unemployed people as well as the connected challenges are part of everyday life.
The community of the Escola Anael wants to stand up against this, because a better world is possible!
With encouraging and artistic activities as well as with sensitive personal care, they awaken the children's curiosity, win their interest and they develop their zest for life. Through a sense of achievement in their daily work together, their self-confidence and thus their personality is strengthened.
Here, in the natural, lovingly designed environment of the school, the children feel comfortable and secure. The best proof of this is the question often asked expectantly by the children playing in front of the school gate during the holidays: "When will school finally start again?"
What is the money needed for?
The project’s big problem is the financing of the running costs. Due to the severe drought in the region "Sertão", the possibilities for agricultural cultivation are severely limited and thus a stable livelihood for the population is missing. Apart from a small brickyard, there are no industrial enterprises. School fees can hardly be paid from the low income, which is barely enough to survive in most families. Depending on the political situation - it changes every four years – the school is supported by the municipality or not. It is a very uncertain and unfortunate solution! Only with the help of sponsorships and donations and with the unbelievable diligence of the employees they manage to keep the "Blossom in the Sertão" alive.
“Our goal is further development in the direction of all-day care. It would be a great blessing for the children and young people if they could take advantage of workshops, training opportunities, leisure activities or therapeutic or medical care, for example. We are open to all possibilities and any support is welcome. We are looking forward to even more people who want to "move out" and build a "different world" with us! At the moment we are very excited because from this year (2022) we have the construction of the secondary school! With the help of a donation, we were able to build classrooms up to grade 9. We were also able to build the school hall and the all-purpose room. Now only the equipment for the hall and all-purpose room is missing.”
