I'm going to hold a charity auction on the blog to benefit an NGO based in Rio--and you, the reader, get to decide! Based on some of the responses I got last week and on my own research, I've narrowed it down to four NGOs. Please read each of the descriptions and take a look at the websites before you vote!
1. Vetor Pre-Vestibular Comunitario: Located in Leblon and founded in 2000, this organization seeks to "democratize access to higher education to help needy students get into college." The NGO offers classes in various subjects, extracurricular activities, excursions, psychological support, and a library to help prepare students for the competitive college entrance exams. In 2006, 50% of students passed their college entrance exam, and in 2009, 36 students passed the exam, accepted to some of the best schools in the city.
2. Refazer: Founded in 1995 and located in Botafogo, this organization helps support young patients of the local public hospital, IFF. They help children and teens recover and try to prevent future disease, as well as supporting their families, to give them a better quality of life. The NGO gives patients' families medications, food, medical equipment, wheelchairs, clothing, diapers, water filters, blankets, and other necessary items. They help rebuild patients' homes to accommodate the patient's health. They have panels and classes about nutrition, violence, drugs, domestic violence, and family planning. They provide fun activities for both the children and their parents at the center, and have a jewelery-making class that enables mothers to learn a craft and earn money.
3. Sao Martinho: This organization runs three homes for street children in Rio de Janeiro. The children live at the centers, where they have access to art and dance classes, movie nights, sports, reading, drawing, and toys. The children are enrolled in school and given psychological and moral support at the centers. They receive health care and are registered with the government in order to receive their ID and other paperwork. Staff members attempt to reintegrate the children with their families, when possible.
4. Centro de Estudos e Acao Excola: Founded in 1986 and located in Lapa, this organization seeks to empower and educate marginalized children and teens. They have various educational, cultural, and entrepreneurial projects for vulnerable youth, especially street children. They have a project to support pregnant teens, a radio station run by street kids, an HIV prevention campaign, an entrepreneurial program for young women, and an alternative housing program for youth aged 18-21.
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