Partner Institution:

Projeto Morrinho

Project:

Architectural art, video and audio

Program:

Teaching English, fundraising, aiding in setting up a social program for the community

Objective:

Provide learning and self-esteem for youth from low-income communities

Locality:

Morro de Perreirao

PARTNER INSTITUTION AND PROJECT

Morrinho is the name used by the youth of "Favela Pereira da Silva" for their scale model of a favela made basically with bricks. The "Morrinho" began in 1998, when Nelcirlan (14 years old at that time) starting building the Morrinho, together with his brother Maycon. Both were impressed with the view of favela´s, high on the hillside, and decided literally to bring it closer. They created several groups of houses that were destroyed with , but thendiscovered that using bricks their work would survive longer. The "toy" became a construction and attracted other boys like Rodrigo, Naldão, Júnior, Paulo Vítor, Luciano and Raniere, and became a part of the community.

Today, the "Morrinho model", occupies an area of 300 square meters in the community "Pereira da Silva", with wealth of details such as: funk clubs, Police, drugs sales points, alleys, staircases, small bars etc. The colors are strong and outstanding, the constructions are unusual and unique, and the vegetation is integrated with the "bonsais" wisdom. Miniatures vehicles and motorcycles fill out the streets. In the interiors of the residences you can see beds, dressing tables and closets. All the details show the creative imagination of the guys that constructed the morrinho. They draw streets, built support walls to contain hillsides, distribute light posts etc. Their plastic universe reveals the aesthetics fullness of the favela, often portrayed by international artists, photographers and film directors.

In 2001 a film crew went up to Favela Pereira da Silva to film the "model", but the documentary became an experience of mutual exchange. One day the boys asked for the camera, and starting incorporating the camera into their play. The results were amazing, and TV Morrinho was created, a small production company, and an NGO that is supporting the community in many ways The project, driven by the boys, is directed by Fábio Gavião and Francisco Franca, two filmmakers that since their arrival, have never left the Community and the boys. Today they are looking for reinforcements to accomplish a process of the boys integration to the productive society.

The group has already participated in the 2004 Urban World Forum II in Barcelona. Point Ephémère in Paris, for the "Year of Brazil" in France in 2005, and in KunstHaus of Munich, in Germany in 2006. They have been invited to take part in the Biennale Venezia in June 2007.

You can find some of their videos at youtube.com , searching for "TV Morrinho".

ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE DONE BY THE VOLUNTEER

	Language courses: English / Spanish / French;
	Photography of activities in order to strengthen international relations.;
	Train the boys to their exhibitions abroad;
	Web design to help them with their website;
	Fundraising;

In addition, Morrinho is open to suggestions from potential volunteers that are interested in formatting a unique project that cater to the volunteer´s unique skills and fulfills Morrinho´s objectives. Such projects will need to demonstrate formative progression for the students at Morrinho.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

	Increase in the number of student attendances
	Learning Progression of students: meeting Morrinho´s pedagogical objectives.
	Volunteer integration capacity with communities, staff, children, and youth.
	Number and types of activities developed.
	Volunteer interest level.
	Increased cross cultural knowledge of intern and of Morrinho´s students and management.

Other indicators may be developed according to the specific program and activity performed.