Christmas in Lapa pt 2 Books Hostel
It's one year on since our first installment of ‘Christmas in Lapa’ event, and this year we are back to do it again spurred on by the success of last year.
The Books family were overwhelmed last December, by the generosity and compassion demonstrated by so many of you across the globe. With your generosity; be it financially or your time on the day, you enabled us to materialize our vision to provide and share a Christmas day with our homeless neighbors. The day was a complete triumph, and to you all we are truly grateful!
THIS YEAR WE ARE BACK WITH EVEN MORE MOTIVATION AND SUPPORT TO IMPLORE YOU TO HELP US, AND GET INVOLVED!
For those of you who are unaware of who we are, and what we are trying to build.. please take the time to check us out!!!
Christmas in Lapa part 1 
Who are we?
- The Books family began with 3 friends and a humble hostel in 2010 and has continued to multiply spreading its love across 105 countries, 180 members of staff, and over 13,000 guests… and with many more years in sight.
Our speciality is hospitality; it is only natural for us to meet new people and create new friendships and connections. Last year we stopped looking overseas, and we looked into our own neighborhood. Lapa, Rio de janeiro.
Christmas is a time for family, and in the absence of family we wanted to create a unique day, we created Christmas in Lapa, powered by our incredible family and friends.
One year on and our community spirit remains as strong as ever.
This year, with even more of our neighbors, families and friends involved; we are positive we can re-create that unique sensation.
we successfully provided a Christmas day for our homeless neighbors producing a traditional seasonal feast and even Santa Claus pulled up with over 100 hygiene packs and hats!!
Our mission
- Our beloved Lapa is one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods based in the center of the cidade maravilhosa. Lapa is notorious for its bohemian lifestyle and its exciting night life, but behind the glamour the prevalence of homelessness and alcohol/narcotic abuse is astonishing.
It is impossible to deny, this situation is only further amplified by social exclusion, blatant racial prejudice and a struggling city council.
“Rio - The population that lives in the streets of the city of Rio de Janeiro and greater than the number of inhabitants of 3,187 of the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities.14,279 people live in the streets of the capital” January 2017.
(second survey of the municipal secretary of social assistance and human rights)
We at Books are calling on our neighborhood, our families and our friends across the globe to come together to re-connect, re-establish and revive our relationships within our communities and to kick start a movement of social inclusion… destroying these social barriers and ultimately connecting all of us to the problems the members of our city faces in day to day life.
Our objectives
-A Traditional Christmas feast with all the extras and of course dessert!!
-Hygiene x mas stocking: We will provide a goodie bag full of essential hygiene utensils,
(toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, condoms, sanitary towels, etc..)
-Goodie x mas stocking: (Havaianas, Christmas in Lapa T shirt, Father Christmas hat)
-Hot showers: We will open the doors to the hostel, providing access to showers and towels.
-Local barber: Some of Lapa´s finest barbers will be on hand providing fresh haircuts and shaves.
-Festive decorations: It wouldn´t be Christmas in Lapa without some Christmas decorations… We intend to decorate our beloved Cachaca bar based in the heart of Lapa providing the best possible atmosphere and energy for the special day.
Our plea to you?
In any country, in any city or town this Christmas you will able to find someone who could be homeless, hungry, alone, or maybe someone who just wants to have a good chat and needs someone to listen...
We are reaching out to anyone who may be privileged to share Christmas at home with their families to not only take a look at our project here in Rio, but to also look into your own communities and see what you can do to be a part of this movement!
Like, Love, Share, Shout, Donate!
Thank you...
