By Anny Moreira | Director of Global Partnerships
Progress Update
The Vidigal Capoeira project currently serves 320 kindergarten students across two institutions in the Vidigal community, with 100 children directly engaged in the capoeira program. Our classes provide more than just physical training; they immerse students in the history and cultural significance of capoeira as a symbol of resistance and empowerment. Students are taught to embody capoeira’s values in their daily lives, fostering personal growth and cultural pride.
The children demonstrate growing enthusiasm, expressing interest in mastering complex moves and dedicating themselves to classes. The program offers a safe space where they can escape societal challenges and focus on their development. With the support of our two donors, we continue to make strides, but we are still short of our goal to establish a permanent facility.
Challenges
Operating without a dedicated space remains a significant hurdle. Rented or borrowed venues restrict class frequency and accessibility, preventing the program from expanding to serve more students or offering daily programming. This instability threatens the preservation and growth of Afro-Brazilian culture in Vidigal, where access to education, employment, and cultural resources is already limited.
Solution and Future Plans
The funds raised will support the construction or acquisition of a permanent cultural center for Vidigal Capoeira. This space will enable:
Daily Classes and Expanded Reach: Doubling the number of students served, from 100 to 200 in the capoeira program, and extending cultural education to more community members.
Workshops and Community Events: Providing consistent programming to foster cultural pride and community cohesion.
Self-Sustainability: Generating income through handcrafted goods and cultural experiences, reducing reliance on donations.
Long-Term Impact
A permanent Vidigal Capoeira center will preserve Afro-Brazilian heritage, empower future generations, and create a self-sustaining community hub. By expanding student capacity and offering daily training, the center will cultivate new teachers, leaders, and cultural ambassadors who will share capoeira globally. Income from merchandise and events will ensure financial independence, securing the program’s future.
Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to our donors for their support, which has been instrumental in sustaining our work. With continued contributions, we can achieve our vision of a permanent home for Vidigal Capoeira, transforming lives and preserving culture for generations to come.
Thank you for believing in our mission!
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
