Brazil
Winter 2010
Our first coach training at Brazil was conducted in March / April 2010. Here are some excerpts from the diary. 27.3:. After a long journey and a brief introduction to the situation at hand, we went for a favela (slum) tour. On the very first day, we were struck with the poverty on the streets and at homes. The stories we heard were shocking and touching. 29.3: First of the four training days. Will all registered participants come? How best can we overcome the language barrier? We got the answers easily enough and nothing stood in the way of a successful venture. 3.31. In the first training as leaders, the participants practiced with the children. It was good to see everything working out well. Bright children, motivated leaders and good weather provided perfect conditions. 1.4. All trainee coaches received a diploma with their name and a hockey coach of the Swiss national team. Goodbyes were emotional and overwhelming, despite the language barriers. 7.4. We were led through the middle of "Crack Land" (the largest drug transshipment point of South America) to learn something about the background of this district. The appalling sights of the afternoon were disturbing. This experience played on every one's mind even days later. Again, we conducted a training session with children from this district. 10.4. Final tournament in the heart of Sao Paulo with 60 players participating in 7 teams from various welfare works. Great organization and the enthusiasm of the participants indicated that our efforts have already borne fruit.13.4. In Belo Horizonte, we train youth workers and conduct various training courses in a problem school. Two police officers are always present in the school, and each class has a state caregiver in addition to the teacher. The students are considered to be problem cases and do not get any consideration at other schools.
Winter 2009
Mike, the head of a welfare unit for street children in São Paulo reports: the situation on the road is upsetting. There are innumerable little kids hanging around downtown, without prospects and without a goal. There are very promising associations with other projects operating in the heart of the city. We have formed a new team and play floorball once a week with the street kids. »Like all street kids, they play right under a bridge.
March 2009
I brought four Floorball kits to Brazil five years back. Another two kits followed. Floorball is played in a home for street children and played as leisure-time activity for youngsters in several other places. Two training sessions for 8 to 12 years olds take place regularly on the edge of a favela (slum) in the south of the huge metropolis São Paulo. We wish to conduct a three-week coach training in São Paulo in April 2010. We intend to invite coaches from children and social projects of various organizations in south Brazil in order to sow the Floorball seed. We are currently renewing the contacts and trying to motivate people so that Floorball can gain firm foothold in Brazil. It would be wonderful if the 35 children presently training, could convert to 200-300 children due to an increase in number of coaches.
March 2007
We have several contacts in this huge South American country, but a lot of things don’t go as quickly as would like them to. A lot of clarifications can discussions take place. We are looking for someone in Sao Paulo, who could set up Floorball in a favela which burnt down recently. Regular training takes place on the edge of south Sao Paulo favela. We are in regular touch with an organization that runs various homes for street children. We have already sent a Floorball kit to them.
New projects are in the planning stage for three more cities.
Facts
Geography
Area: 8,911,565 sq km
Covers half of South America and is a home to half of its population. It is the fifth largest country on Earth.
Economy
Massive inflation, foreign debts and divide between 30% rich and 70% poor have weakened the growth and increased destitution, gripping many in the clutches of hunger.
Religion
Religious freedom and division between church and state.
(Christians 91%, spiritual 5%, others 4%)