Official charity of Ireland v Brazil match
The Republic of Ireland face Brazil on the 2nd of March at the Emirates Stadium in London for the Brazilian players’ last chance to stake their claim for a place in the world cup squad in South Africa.
We are very happy to announce that we have been chosen as the official charity for the match and will be carrying out a bucket collection before the game. Whilst the match is a friendly, Brazilian coach Dunga is treating the game as crucial in his decisions as to who will be going to the World Cup and has announced a 22 player squad which includes Adriano, Kaka and Robinho. The game is sure to be a cracker so we hope to see you there!
Ticket information available at Arsenal.com.
Flooding affects Criança do Brasil
Since October the summer floods have badly affected our partner project Criança do Brasil in Vila Alzira in Duque da Caxias. The community has been developed for years on marshland and so when the heavy rains arrive, they inevitably destroy the community. The government are in the process of dredging the nearby river and are now at the stage where they need to work in the area of Vila Alzira.
The residents of the community, the students of the creche, members of the church and youths involved in our programs have all been advised that they will need to leave the community in the near future. Everyone will receive financial compensation for the displacement. We are really pleased that the government has taken the initiative to move the community that has lost so much, so many times over this summer period of heavy rains.
Our efforts are now focused on moving the creche in Morro do Paraiso to a new safer building and providing the children with the right environment to start their education. The new building will be finished by March 2010.
New volunteer house built for Criança do Brasil
A new volunteer house has been built in Morro do Paraiso in Lote XV in Duque da Caxias to support the volunteer program of Criança do Brasil. The work of the volunteers includes reinforcement classes after school, language classes, supporting the teachers in the creche projects as well as bringing various children in the community to and from school.
The volunteers are an integral part of the work done by Criança do Brasil and are invaluable in terms of the work they are doing in the local community. The volunteers now live in the middle of the community of Morro do Paraiso, always on hand to help out with a wide variety of needs of the project.
Sweet sounds from the children of Lote XV
Criança do Brasil has started an orchestra for the children of Lote XV. Twenty boys and girls from aged 9 - 13 years old are learning the flute and ten other children are learning various other instruments. This is another initiative of Criança do Brasil to unite the children of the area in activities where they can learn and enjoy themselves while keeping them busy and away from the dangers of the street.
Criança do Brasil also runs english classes for children as well as reinforcement classes for children with difficulty in school.
Homeless Child believes that no child should live in poverty. Every day, children die on the streets in Rio de Janeiro from crack addiction, violence and abuse. Our charity makes a real difference in the lives of Rio's street children. 
