BRINCADERIA (OPEN DOOR PROJECT), BRAZIL

Alagoinhas is located two hours inland from the capital, Salvador, in the state of Bahia in the northeast of Brazil. This area is much poorer than the southern and southeastern states.

With a population of 119,600, Alagoinhas is considered a small city. The city provides bank, commerce, and public administration jobs. The economy is largely based around agriculture with some focused industries.
Eighty five percent of the population is of mixed race with blacks and whites both falling into the minority. Like the rest of Brazil, the major language is Portuguese and the major religion is Roman Catholic.

The Open Door Project, which has been renamed as “Brincadeira” by the children, means playing/making fun. Children and young mothers from Alagoinhas or neighboring areas come to Brincadiera 6 days a week between 4-5:30pm.
Brincadiera is a protected space where children can play in an environment free of drugs and alcohol. The children learn how to associate with one another in a non-aggressive manner.
It provides a time for children and the mothers to talk openly about their lives and problems at home including: alcoholism, drugs, displacement of family members, illness, lack of food/clothing, and poor living quarters. The program brings stability and safety into children’s lives. It provides a snack to all children and an evening meal to the children that have especially tough living conditions.

The goal of this project is to provide a safe educational and social environment for 500 children who experience difficult living conditions. It encourages the importance of respect for one another and provides nutritional support for each child.

• 500 Children