Our heart is to help those in need - young girls and boys trapped in modern day slavery. We want to see new hope for broken families, hurting children and those who feel forgotten.
Part of what inspired us to do the work we do, was learning that many children born in the favelas don't have access to identification. This is also partly why we are called Passport 2 Freedom.
By investing in young girls and boys in the favela slums in Brazil, we hope to help them find their independence and sense of worth. We want to provide aid for those living in the poverty of the favelas in Brazil. Housing in the favelas is cramped and shelters are made from bricks, scraps, and garbage. Crime and disease is high and most favelas don't have a sewage systems. Children do not have access to proper education and many children are abandoned in these slums.
Our Program Leaders
Our program is ran by our dedicated leaders Pedro and Nadia Barbazza. They have been working for over 20 years in the favela's on community development. P2F understands clearly the importance of investing in sustainable programs that create independence and growth for the families and children in the favela's rather than investing in activities that in long term perspectives do create a dependence on the structure and resources of a NGO.
The program consists of many different aspects: Education, arts, sports, helping residents in the favela's obtain identification papers, running recycling projects to help favela residents understand the importance of re-using materials. The recycling program also provides jobs for the residents.
Child rehabilitation is in the center of our work strategy and our primary focus is on the individual (Physical, Intellectual and Social Development).
Rehabilitation and development is a planned evolution of all aspects of community well-being that brings improved life quality to the members based on change. We realize that more, bigger, richer or faster is not always better. Real development always means transformation. It always means more justice. But how can a community become just when it's roots are not stemmed in justice? How can life quality, peace, dignity and equality grow in our communities when injustice, gender inequality, irresponsibility are the roots? Where citizenship for the poor means only duties but no rights and where justice can be bought?
Transformation can only happen based on values and principles that are just. It means that the community has to understand it's rights and it's duties based on education, health, gender equality, protection and human rights. Once the favela residents understand their rights and duties toward their own communities, growth and transformation will happen. Change includes initiatives, courage to change from an individual to a collective point of view. It always includes an increase of responsibility as a key value to build on. It always means a positive look towards the surrounding and transformation as an outcome of learning and growing through the diversity. It always means a pro-active community. Only when the community understands this responsibility, sustainable change and transformation is possible.
Staff:
Hanne H Fellers (Founder)
Vanessa Caldera (CEO)
LaTianna Williams (treasurer/staff)
Kelly King (advisor/artist)
Katharine Smith (secretary)
Rohini Sen (artist/creative marketing)
Bianca Miraglia (photography/graphic design)
Sasha Stark (Photography/advisor)
