The Practicing Sports, Winning in Life! Project, which is funded by Comic Relief, concluded its 2012 activities with a competition and the delivery of medals and gifts to the participants.The project, which takes place in the Escondidinho community, Rio de Janeiro, offers tutoring activities, English, sports (volleyball and futsal) and conversation circles about gender and sexuality for around 30 children and young people between 11 and 24 years old. The objective of the project, which has been taking place since October, is to encourage education and inclusion of people with disabilities, pregnant women or women with children, and those who have stopped studying, using sport and school support as one of the tools for this. Furthermore, to promote reflection and the deconstruction of rigid gender standards and topics related to sexuality, informal conversations take place with a group of boys and another group of girls separately.
A strategic aspect of the project is support so that young mothers and fathers do not abandon their studies. The project has the presence of a full-time nurse who, in addition to supporting sports activities, also supports the care of the participants' children while they are in activities. Tamirez Brás, 19 years old, mother of 5-month-old Geovanna, said that taking her daughter to the project makes all the difference. “I really like being able to bring her to the workshops, otherwise it would be difficult to be able to participate in the activities,” she said.
The conversation circles have been highlighted by participants as a highlight of the project. “The conversations are very good, as we talk about the changes in our bodies and many other important things for our age,” said Pamela Valesca, 11 years old.
According to Victoria Silva, 10 years old, tutoring activities are very important for her academic performance. “I'm learning a lot and next year I'm going to a more difficult school, so it will be good for me to continue with the project,” she said.
As for Renan Rogério, 11 years old, his favorite activity is sport. Renan does not have a left forearm and participates in all activities. In addition to futsal, he loves playing volleyball.
After the competition and the awards ceremony, the group got together to celebrate the end of the 2012 activities with hot dogs and French toast. The 2013 activities began on January 7th.
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