75%
Of children in rural areas are living in poverty
Poverty in higher in northern Brazil
More people live in poverty in northern Brazil than in the south of the country. The poverty rates are 2.7 times higher in the northern states than in the southern states.
There are other patterns to Brazil’s inequality, with some groups of the population being more affected – women, Afro-Brazilians and children in the northern regions. Children of parents without a formal education experience poverty from an early age. Only 1% of parents living in poverty completed college, subsequently 5% of their children do. It would take three generations for just 12% of the poor to achieve post-secondary education.
213
Children under 9 years old died of violence in 2020
Children exposed to violence
In some areas of Brazil, violence is a daily experience for children and young people. This happens at home, in schools and in the communities where they live. UNICEF research into lethal and sexual violence against children and adolescents revealed the leading cause of death in children is domestic violence, whereas in adolescents it’s a result of police actions.
In more than 31,000 cases out of 34,918 the victims were adolescents between 5-19 years of age.
Between 2016 and 2020 the annual number of violent deaths of children aged 0 – 4 years increased by 27%.
Your support makes a difference for children in Caicó
SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
20
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
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Music lessons in preparation for a performance. Children and young people enjoy spending time together and learning new skills (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Brazil).
How your support helps in Caicó
Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Provide quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.