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Leadership Training and Scholarship Program
Schatz-Levy Scholarship for Leadership Training Thanks to Founding Sponsors, Elizabeth Schatz and Adrian Levy, and support from monthly donors, we created and are maintaining a Leadership Training and Scholarship Program (LTSP) designed especially for young girls. The goals of this program are two-fold: to provide adolescent girls with learning and skill-building opportunities to secure better futures for themselves, as well as capacity-building for a new generation of community leaders. 
Computer Training
Computer training is part of the LTSP. Classes are held twice a week with three sessions each day. They are taught by a patient professor who customizes course material according to the skill level of each girl. The girls learn how to compose correspondence, use spreadsheets, create Powerpoint presentations, send emails with attachments, and use the internet for school research. These classes are often the entry point for new LTSP participants. Each session is provided with a nutritional after-school snack. 
LTSP Training Apprenticeships
We have designed and implemented training apprenticeships for the LTSP participants in our other programs. Girls with more advanced administrative skills are trained as Administrative Assistant Apprentices. They learn to help evaluate programs and make recommendations through structured monthly interviews with people responsible for our programs and other community activities, as well as beneficiaries of these programs. Our Junior Apprentices participate in six-month, hands-on rotational apprenticeships in our other programs. Placements include: the Kids Friendly Soup Kitchen and Clean Hands Station; the health centre; the dental clinic; supervising children during weekly appointments at the ABO/Ba's dental teaching clinic; helping out at community events; and conducting the annual family interviews and taking photos of children enrolled in our Fostering Education Program. Each girl receives a small training bursary for her work. Emerging Community Leaders Street Angels also fosters emerging leaders through scholarships. 
Luciano Rodrigues dos Santos, 27, was our first foster child. He began selling in the streets and on the beach when he was seven to help support his large family. By 18 he was still trudging the beaches selling barbecued cheese on the weekends, but with our help he managed to complete grade nine and was working full-time as an office boy.
In 2001 Luciano was the recipient of our Millennium Scholarship which provided him with three years ESL training in Canada. He returned to Bahia to continue his formal education and work with our project. Luciano remains a valuable member of the leadership team. He coordinates the LTSP and Community Bank Program and fields inquiries from various Brazilian agencies and organizations. As the only English-speaking member of the team, he is responsible for liaising with foreign organizations and visitors. In addition to his work with Street Angels, Luciano is also involved in a micro-enterprise initiative with Bottletop, a UK-based non-profit. This initiative provides income-generating opportunities for the community through the production of bags made from recycled aluminium can tabs. Luciano is currently enrolled in his first year of university and pursuing a degree in Commerce and Administration. 
Carla Monesca Brito Brandão, 18, started as a participant in our computer class and soon demonstrated her potential. She began working more closely with us in January 2008. Carla assumed increased responsibility for the LTSP and is assisting Luciano with coordination of the program. This year she also helped coordinate the Oral Health Program; provided administrative support; and conducted some of the annual family interviews and took photos of children enrolled in our Fostering Education Program.
In 2007 Carla took and passed the university entrance exam. Initially unsure of what faculty she wanted to enter, she decided on the Faculty of Social Work after working with us. Carla hopes to begin university in March 2009. |
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