Books for Children of the Favela

The children of Rocinha have grown up in a tangled, concrete, dense,  mountainside community amid violence, pollution, and endemic poverty.  Electricity and basic plumbing are relatively new luxuries to the residents.  And while wifi is available for some, there are still open sewers, problems with garbage disposal and yes, even widespread tuberculosis.  

Yet in the middle of it all is a little school bringing hope to these children.  It is Project Favela.


Project Favela's two directors, Angela Crawford and Kristine Witko, are returning in February to launch the new school year.  

Last year, our Gofundme efforts purchased enough supplies to  achieve goals no one thought possible.  With that money, our Preschool Project implemented a new curriculum and teaching method that rivaled the best private schools in the city.  

Project Favela's success story became well known throughout the favela as well as the metropolitan area and was spotlighted Rio de Janeiro's media.

In 2016, we are opening our doors to more children, more opportunities, and more hope.  Our goal is to expand on our success last year.  The money raised last year purchased curriculum and materials for the 4 and 5 year old classes.  Those children are matriculating into the 6 and 7 year old classes and we are expanding our resources.  

The Preschool Project at Project Favela is bi-lingual and multi-discilinary.  Each week's lesson revolves around a core picture book that is approriate for English language learners at the preschool level.  


Children engage with the selected book through interactive readings during "Circle Time" and then circulate in small groups to various learning centers, such as science, math, and English conversation.  


The materials purchased last year will be used for the "new" 4 year olds attending our school.  Our fundraising goal is to purchase new core picture books for our second year students as well as additional math and science supplies.  We want to build on our successful first year with a second year program that focuses more on science, inquiry, and math!

Here is a sampling of the book collections we have adopted and wish to purchase:




These books are unique:  not only are the illustrations engaging and vibrant, but the language is cumulative and repetitive--essential elements for English language learners.  Additionally, the books introduce science, geography, and the natural world to children in such a way that their minds can expand beyond the limits of the favela to the fascinating world around them.

More information about Project Favela can be found on our blog and website:

www.projectfavela.org

www.projectfavelablog.weebly.com