In 1988 we repaired and re-opened the community's first school, a mud and stick hut built by parents. We supported three local women - none of whom had finished high school - with salaries, lay-teacher training and educational materials. For six years these teachers helped 80 children learn to read and write while we worked toward establishing a certified elementary school in Dona Aurora.
Associação Moradores e Amigos de Dona Aurora (AMADA), the community's residents' association, persuaded a local landowner to donate a piece of land on which to build the school. The legal acquisition of this piece of property was a major milestone in the strengthening of the landless residents' right to continue living in this community.
In 1992, with profits from angel sales and a small grant from the Canadian Embassy in Brasilia, we began construction of a modern, three-storey elementary school. The Street Angels Community School officially opened in 1994.
We funded the operation of this school for four years, during which time we supported the mothers in the community in their ultimately successful campaign to have the school integrated into the government subsidized public school system - a significant step in the de-marginalization of this community.
Now more than 300 children benefit each year from certified teachers, flush toilets, and a hot lunch.
Associação Moradores e Amigos de Dona Aurora (AMADA), the community's residents' association, persuaded a local landowner to donate a piece of land on which to build the school. The legal acquisition of this piece of property was a major milestone in the strengthening of the landless residents' right to continue living in this community.
We funded the operation of this school for four years, during which time we supported the mothers in the community in their ultimately successful campaign to have the school integrated into the government subsidized public school system - a significant step in the de-marginalization of this community.
