The average child living in a favela in Brazil has one opportunity for education – an under-resourced, under-staffed public school which has lessons for 4 hours a day, if the teachers turn up to work or are not on strike.
Even if they go to school, favela children will most likely drop out before 4th grade. Why?
Constant sickness – leaves children up to a year behind in IQ development
No learning support – no assessment or special needs education
No parental encouragement to study – illiteracy at home, pessimism about education
Pressure to earn income – the daily reality of poverty, hunger and desperation
This is reality for over 100 million children in Brazil right now
After years of working with street children, The University of Life was created as a preventive program to fill the gaps left by the public school system.
The program specifically removes the barriers preventing the educational development of children in the favelas and promotes the role of parents, family life and the physical improvement of conditions in the community.
The University of Life (UoL) is a four acre educational facility for 350 children per day. If a child goes to public school in the morning, they go to UoL in the afternoon and vise-versa.
The University of Life has 19 staff, purpose built buildings, 13 classrooms, staff room and offices, separate staff and student restrooms and showers, clean drinking water, playground, assembly hall and stage, dining room, computers, library, kitchen, soccer pitch, storerooms and a gymnasium (under construction). Walk through a typical school day at CBC and see what's going on today!
Everyday the following opportunities are available for children at the project....
- A hot meal
- clean drinking water
- counseling
- friendship
- love and encouragement
- Christian education
- safe play
- sports and athletics
- computer classes
- dental care and hygiene
- music
- art
- drama
- dance
- city trips (to museums etc..)
- a monthly fun day
- evangelistic mission trips
- volunteer opportunities to serve the local community
With extra school time, love and encouragement, appropriate teaching support, hot food, clean water and a safe environment, learning becomes possible and children progress academically. Most importantly, they can begin to dream, develop in character and discover their purpose in life. Read more about the history of The University of Life.
Get a detailed look at each of the exciting programs in Brazil and find out how you can best help!
Educational Program
Beyond Academics
The Arts: Dance, Theater & Music
The Mission Bus
Gymnasium & Community Life Center
The Foundation for Life Higher Education Program
High School Program
Information Technology Program
JVC: Youth with the Vision of Christ
Christian Teaching, Outreach & Spiritual Support
Unicyber: The Internet Cafe
The University of Life Program Summary