The Associação Restauração or Restoration Association, has launched the 15th edition of its “Solidarity Christmas” campaign to raise funds for children living in poverty in São Paulo.

The Restoration Association

The Restoration Association is a Christian nonprofit, founded in 1989. It serves marginalized adolescents and children living in social vulnerability in the communities of São Paulo. The nonprofit’s “main reach or the focus of [the] ministry is to reach kids of the favelas, which is the Portuguese word for slums in São Paulo, Brazil,” said Isabella Hutchison, a volunteer with the Restoration association, during an interview with The Borgen Project.

The Solidarity Christmas Campaign

The “Solidarity Christmas” campaign began in 2011. It aims to sponsor children in social vulnerability through thoughtful gifts and meals to make a difference during the holiday season. The association works in five communities across São Paulo: Iguatemi, Promorar (Jd. Rio Claro), Vila Júlia (Sapopemba), Vila Rosa and Tolstoi.

Last year, the campaign’s 14th edition hosted two Christmas parties featuring music, games, a play about Christmas and a feast for more than 300 children. Funds raised went toward the celebrations and the gifts for the children, including shoes, a toy and clothes.

This year, the association aims to raise R$30,000 (about $5,457) by October to organize a Children’s Day celebration and Christmas event for approximately 380 children between the ages of 3 and 12. The celebrations brighten the children’s Christmas and allow them to connect with children from other Favelas (slums) who are in similar social circumstances.

The association operates several community projects throughout the year, including sports classes, music workshops, home visits, educational programs and even spaces to support women in the community dealing with drug abuse or domestic violence.

Community Activities for Kids

The group holds “agitas,” or community activities, that promote citizenship and social support twice a week. At the end of these activities, the kids are given little goodie bags, usually filled with a snack, to incentivize them to return.

The programs and activities provide structure and relief for families through educational or recreational activities.

“The sad reality is that most of these kids don’t have adequate food at home,” Hutchison said. “They may not have eaten all day, so this provides some nutrients for them.”

“All the parents want their kids to go to camp,” Hutchison said. “It takes some stress off their hands for the week and the unfortunate reality of it is a lot of these kids don’t eat three meals a day, so they think, OK, well, if nothing else, my kids are gonna eat three meals a day and have enough to eat for this weekend.”

Holiday Events To Inspire Hope

Funds raised this year will go toward the Children’s Day and Christmas events. Indeed, the organization aims to celebrate the holidays and offer hope and support to children growing up in difficult circumstances so they may have a brighter future than the one they were born into.

– Sahana Shastry

Sahana is based in Newtown Square, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons