Ep:#46 Em Cena and providing a future for the children of Brazil through art

I’m sure you are aware of the power of art and dance. But have you stopped to think of that power and how it can impact children that come from incredibly difficult backgrounds? Today I’m speaking with Betania Gonçalves da Silva, the co-founder and Executive Coordinator of Em Cena Arte e Cidadania, (On Stage: Art and Citizenship) an NGO based in Recife Brazil. Em Cena was founded in 1998 by a group of friends who were tired of complaining about the social problems in Brazil - so decided to make a difference. They work with children and teens from one of the poorest areas of the city – houses without running water, and a community that faces the challenges of drugs, violence and more. And their mission is to impact the lives of these young people through the arts. But they were severely impacted by the pandemic. Unable to run in-person activities for the children meant that the relationship with the community and local partners weakened significantly. And the future of these children’s lives, in many cases, depends on Em Cena. Today we talk about the reality on the ground in one of the poorest areas of Brazil. What do these children face every day? What are the gender issues in the favela? And what happens when the children step out of the favela, for even just an afternoon or two a week? We cover off a lot here. So grab your favourite beverage. Or throw on those running shoes and here is an inspiring chat with Betania. And please don’t forget to let us know what you think of this episode, leave a review and subscribe.