Azevedo-Detjen Reading Room

The funds raised will be used towards building improvements and materials (books, computers) for a reading room for Escola Municipal Fundamental Zona Sul, Torres, Brazil. This school is located in Torres, by the northern-coastal area in Rio Grande do Sul, Julia's homestate. Due to lack of federal funding the kids from an impoverished community suffer with the seasonality of the local economy that depends on tourism. 
Today four hundred kids attend nine different grades in Escola Zona Sul. After visiting the area, located right behind Parque Nacional da Guarita (a popular natural reserve in the area), we were struck with the lack of resources in this particular school and in most of the homes located in the favela that grew behind this beautiful National Park.  Escola Zona Sul's reading room is abandoned and computers were removed due to lack of funds and maintenance.  Early childhood education is in our view one of the most important pillars to opportunity, economic resilience and development.

With your contribution we plan to reinstate Escola Zona Sul's reading room, providing books and programs focusing in education, the importance of marine preservation and tourism for the local economy. It is also a safe space for kids to develop their social interactions, curiosity and learning capabilities after school hours. Providing better access to these kids should last more than any gift we could ask for.