This place is called Montanha de Esperanca, Hope Mountain in English (http://www.montanha.org.br/). The team had the chance to visit this very worthy program today. Founded 10 years ago in Cariacica, near Vitoria, Hope Mountain serves as both a school and home for abused, neglected and at-risk children from nearby slum areas.
Some of the children have no parents, some have been involved with drugs and some have been abused. The majority of them have no place to go other than Hope Mountain. The children range in age from as young as 6 up to 18. All of the children take classes in traditional subjects such as geography, Portuguese and mathmatics. Our team made guest appearences in each of the classrooms causing quite an uproar! Especially when Marc asked which children wanted to become firefighters. Those who rasied their hands were asked to come to the front of the room and lead in a round of push-ups by our own Bomberio, Marc!
In addition to classroom learning, the older students also learn specific trades. We visited the bakery to see a number of bakers in the making and were lucky to taste some yummy pasteries. (more pao de quejio!) Two of the students there actually have interviews for jobs in bakeries next week. There is also an auto shop where students learn how to fix cars and how to paint and detail the cars. The auto shop teacher told us that there is a high demand for the students that come out of the program.
Along with serving as a school for the apporximately 250 students, the facility also houses about 40 boys who would have no where else to live. They live in dormitory-style rooms each with their own, very organized, lockers. There are also "social parents" who live in the same buildings with the boys and serve as example parents for the children. Many of the children have been there for a number of years and will stay there until they turn 18.
The campus is somewhat of a santuary for the children. It is perched high atop a hill with lush mountain views and borders a nature preserve. You can instantly feel the calm and soothing vibe walking around the campus or down the brightly colored hallways complete with school-themed murals. In fact, when we asked one the students what he studies here, he simply replied, "peace".
Like many non-profit organizations, Hope Mountain is supported by donations, grants and money from Rotary International funds, but there will always been additional needs. Right now, girls are not able to live at the school because there is no home for them. The organization is waiting for money to complete a construction project for a girls´house. They already have at least 50 girls who would benefit greatly from living on the campus. The staff says while they have plans and money for a girls house, they don´t have the money to maintain the building or furnish it.
In addition, the facility has a room fully equipped for the children to recieve dental and medical treatments, but they have a very hard time finding medical and dental professionals to volunteer their time to treat the children.
In our short time at Hope Mountain our team saw what an amazing, life-changing program this is. You can see it in the children's smiles, their eagerness to learn and their desire to share with complete strangers how proud they are of something as simple as their bed and locker.
Our hearts were truly touched by this visit and we would like to ask everyone we know to consider donating to this worthy cause.
There is hope and because of Hope Mountain and in addition to hope many Brazilian children now also have peace. Please help this amazing cause.
For more information, or to donate:
http://www.montanha.org.br/
email: montanhadaesperanca@terra.com.br
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