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Date: 28 July, 2004
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Henderson makes t-shirts for the 'Maracatu' label.
Photo: Christian Aid / Jo Walker
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'Being part of Passage House has helped me believe in myself.'
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For many young people in the Brazilian city of Recife, life is not
easy. High levels of poverty coupled with severe unemployment lead
many to a life on the streets. Some eke out a living by begging or
selling sweets at traffic lights. Others turn to sex work as a means
of survival. Drugs and violence are common too.
Christian Aid partner, Passage House runs a training centre for vulnerable
young people. With a range of vocational courses on offer, the centre
allows young people to gain new skills, helping them to secure a job
and stay safe and well. One of the most popular is the 'Maracatu'
fashion course, named after a traditional Brazilian dance with roots
in indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultures. The name aptly represents
the diversity of the young people at Passage House.
Students on the 'Maracatu' course learn how to
design, cut, sew and model clothes. Once trained, the successful
tailors graduate onto the production team where they work alongside
professional dressmakers. They manufacture a range of items for
Passage House's very own 'Maracatu' label. Chic skirts and trendy
t-shirts are then sold through various outlets, including the Passage
House stall in Recife's biggest shopping centre.
Eighteen year old Henderson Nascimento Silva
joined the course two years ago. He works in the production team
and makes different style T-shirts for the 'Maracatu' label. He
now has the skills to set up his own business. He says, 'Being part
of Passage House has helped me believe in myself. There's a lot
of violence in the poor communities and Passage House offers a safe
place to be. Many of my friends are involved in gangs and take drugs.
I don't do any of that. Passage House is doing a really good job
and is addressing some of the issues we face.'
For Joseni Flor da Cruz, graduating from the
'Maracatu' course has made a real difference to her life. Only a
couple of years ago her family was struggling to make ends meet.
Now Joseni earns a steady income running a small fashion business
from her home in one of the poor slum areas of Recife.
Bespoke bridal gowns and tailor made eveningwear
are her specialities. Every satisfied customer is an advert for
Joseni's work and her client list is expanding fast. She hopes that
one day, Brazil's own supermodel, Giselle will be seen gliding down
the catwalk in one of her glamorous outfits.
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