AME Viva - Yoga & Wellbeing for Slum Youth

Dear GlobalGiving Donors,

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all the teachers, students, partners, and donors who made our work possible in 2024.

Your support has driven impactful change in our community, and we are excited to share our achievements with you. Please feel free to watch our special thank-you video embedded in this email. 

This year, AME VIVA accomplished the following:

-Completed 25 food distributions in Vidigal.
-Distributed 1,250 food baskets, each containing over 30 varieties of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
-Provided approximately 7,500 kg of food, sourced from 15 farming families.
-Supported more than 100 families through the Vidigal Capoeira and Favela Yogi projects.
-Expanded our sponsorship program, enabling us to hire two additional instructors, growing our team to three.
-Hosted six yoga events and weekend excursions.
-Increased student enrollment by 30%.
-Supplied 35 children’s uniforms (20 yoga shirts and 15 jiu-jitsu shirts) and 15 second-hand yoga mats.

In 2025, we are eager to build on these accomplishments and further expand our outreach.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your dedication helps us bring joy, health, and well-being to our community.

Wishing you a bright and fulfilling 2025!

With appreciation, The AME VIVA Team

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Relatório de Impacto da GlobalGiving: AME VIVA 2024

Refletindo Sobre Nossos Sucessos e Abraçando 2025 com Esperança!

Queridos Doadores da GlobalGiving,

Queremos expressar nossa mais profunda gratidão a todos os professores, alunos, parceiros e doadores que tornaram nosso trabalho possível em 2024. Seu apoio impulsionou mudanças significativas em nossa comunidade, e estamos entusiasmados em compartilhar nossas conquistas com vocês. Sinta-se à vontade para assistir ao nosso vídeo especial de agradecimento, incluído neste e-mail.

Este ano, a AME VIVA alcançou os seguintes marcos:

-Realizamos 25 distribuições de alimentos no Vidigal.

-Distribuímos 1.250 cestas de alimentos, contendo mais de 30 variedades de frutas e verduras frescas e orgânicas.

-Fornecemos aproximadamente 7.500 kg de alimentos de 15 famílias de agricultores.

-Apoio contínuo a mais de 100 famílias através dos projetos Vidigal Capoeira e Favela Yogi.

-Expandimos nosso programa de apadrinhamento, contratando dois novos instrutores, totalizando três profissionais.

-Organizamos seis eventos de yoga e passeios de fim de semana. Aumentamos em 30% o número de alunos inscritos.

-Distribuímos 35 uniformes infantis (20 camisetas de yoga e 15 de jiu-jitsu) e 15 tapetes de yoga de segunda mão.

Em 2025, estamos animados para ampliar ainda mais essas conquistas e expandir nosso impacto. Obrigado por fazer parte dessa jornada. Seu compromisso nos ajuda a levar alegria, saúde e bem-estar à nossa comunidade.

Desejamos a todos um 2025 brilhante e repleto de realizações!

Com carinho,

Equipe AME VIVA

Links:

• Ame Viva's Year of Health and Prosperity

We are excited to present the results from our recent social impact survey of the Ame Viva / Favela Yogi program. This survey highlights the transformative effects of our yoga and wellness classes on both individual participants and the broader Vidigal community. With your generous support, we have been able to provide essential wellness services that are fostering positive change in Vidigal for children and their parents.

Highlights:

• Total Respondents: 16
• Geographical Focus: Primarily residents of Vidigal Favela
• Gender Representation: 68.8% of respondents were female, reflecting our commitment to empowering women in the community.
• Age Range: Participants aged from 13 to 58, with a majority between 30-50 years old. 
• Note: Some respondents were young children's parents who could not fill out the form themselves

Impact on Well-being:

Physical Well-being Before Participation:

• 64% of respondents rated their physical well-being as low before joining the classes.
• 32% rated it as moderate.
• Only 12.6% reported a high level of physical well-being before participation.

Physical Well-being After Participation:

• 80% of participants now report a significant improvement in their physical well-being, particularly in fitness levels and body awareness.
• Common improvements cited include:
• Reduction in stress levels
• Improved sleep quality
• Greater physical mobility and flexibility

Emotional Well-being Before Participation:

• 48% of participants described their emotional well-being as moderate to low before attending classes.
• Some participants reported feelings of isolation, anxiety, and a lack of energy.

Emotional Well-being After Participation:

• 90% reported significant emotional improvement after joining Ame Viva classes.
• Key benefits included:
• Increased self-esteem
• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Greater overall happiness and mental balance

One participant noted, "After starting yoga, I feel much calmer and more connected to myself. I sleep better, and I am happier every day."

Community-Level Outcomes

Changes in the Vidigal Community:

• 74% of participants noticed positive changes in their community directly related to the program.
  Respondents noted:
• Greater involvement from youth and children, with many attending classes.
• A sense of gratitude and unity has grown within the community.
• Increasing interest from both local and international visitors.

One respondent shared, "I’ve seen more children getting involved and more outsiders coming to learn with us. It feels like a welcoming and intelligent community."

Group Bonding and Well-being:

• 89% of participants commented on a strengthened sense of community and shared responsibility among class attendees.
• Participants have expressed a desire to support and uplift one another, with many encouraging friends and family to join.

Testimonials from Participants:

• Regina, 58:
  "I had no energy or motivation before I joined. Now, I look forward to every class. I feel better about myself and my body!"
• Danielle, 32:
  "My physical well-being was low, and I struggled with stress. After joining, I feel stronger, more relaxed, and my sleep has improved drastically."
• Laura, 13:
  "I was tired and stressed all the time. Now I am more focused, and I even help my friends with what I’ve learned in class."

Improvements and Growth Opportunities:

To ensure the program continues to evolve and cater to the needs of the community, we’ve collected several valuable suggestions for improvement:

• More Meditation Classes: Many participants requested more dedicated meditation sessions, highlighting the mental and emotional benefits they gain from this practice.
• Expanded Class Times: Requests were made for more classes at different times to accommodate the growing interest in the program.
• Longer Classes: Some participants expressed interest in extending the duration of sessions to deepen their practice.

What’s Next?

Thanks to the overwhelming support from our GlobalGiving donors, Ame Viva / Favela Yogi continues to thrive. We plan to expand our program in the coming months by:

• Introducing new meditation-focused classes to meet the growing demand.
• Partnering with local schools to engage more youth and offer special wellness programs tailored to their needs.
• Holding a community wellness day, where residents can try different wellness activities for free and learn more about our ongoing classes.

Thank You!

Your contributions have directly impacted the lives of many women and families in Vidigal. Thanks to your support, we are fostering a culture of wellness, unity, and empowerment. As we move forward, we will continue to keep you updated on the positive changes in our community and the powerful stories that emerge from the Ame Viva / Favela Yogi program.

We could not have done this without your generosity. Thank you for believing in our mission and the power of wellness to change lives.

With Gratitude,
The Ame Viva / Favela Yogi Team and Favela Inc

Links:

• Visit our site!