Child-friendly places in the asphalt jungle of São Paulo
Street canyons lined with skyscrapers, multi-lane urban highways, and few green spaces: in the metropolis of São Paulo, many children grow up in conditions far from ideal for children. Due to high crime rates, playing in the streets is also not an option. Here, in the heart of the city, vibrant spaces are emerging: circus school, soccer, capoeira, music and percussion lessons, poetry sessions, and storytelling with older residents of the neighborhood.
The Brazilian "CEDECAs"
The "Centers for the Defense of Children's and Youth Rights" (Centros de Defesa da Criança e do Adolescente, CEDECA) exist in many Brazilian cities and are important points of contact for children and young people.
The centers work closely with state youth and family services, supporting young people in accessing education, healthcare, and social services. Professionals in social work, education, and psychology provide guidance to the young people. At the same time, the CEDECAs offer a wide range of play, sports, and cultural activities. The "a chance to play" program supports two of these children's rights centers in São Paulo: CEDECA Sapopemba and CEDECA Interlagos.
CEDECA Interlagos – Empowerment for young people
The project supports young people in developing their own life and career paths and in standing up against discrimination and racism. In workshops, they explore their rights and develop ways to generate their own income, including through creative upcycling ideas.
Many of the young people are also involved in the carnival and samba group "Bloco Eureca." Here, they use the power of music to express their experiences and draw attention to injustices. In joint workshops, they choose their own themes each year and compose a new samba song. The lyrics tell of their everyday lives, their hopes, and their desire for a more just society. In their song, the children demand an education that truly liberates and leaves no one behind. They sing about discrimination and barriers in the school system—but also about courage, community, and change
“I will break free from these chains and start a revolution. If education does not serve liberation, violence, sexism and discrimination will prevail.”
(Song from 2024)
For many of the children, who come from families affected by poverty, the path to higher education is difficult. With their samba, they protest against inequality and demand the right to an education that opens up opportunities. In the "Bloco EURECA," music becomes a space of resistance and a place where young people raise their voices loudly and confidently.
CEDECA Sapopemba – Culture & Play
In Sapopemba, one of São Paulo's most violent neighborhoods, an unassuming door can be found in the narrow streets of the houses stacked like boxes: the small theater of the local children's rights center. It's teeming with children, all rehearsing a new play. Upstairs, after a capoeira lesson, ballet class is about to begin. On another corner, the children's rights center has created a community garden. It's a haven for children and teenagers who struggled to integrate into other activities and exhibited violent behavior. Together, they lovingly tend the garden and play. At the same time, social workers, educators, and psychologists from partner organizations are always present. The games and activities foster trust, creating the foundation for further support. Another goal of the project is to serve as a meeting place for cultural collectives and initiatives in the region, establishing a cultural forum in Sapopemba and bringing people of different ages together to strengthen community life in the neighborhood.
This project is part of the "A Chance to Play" , through which Volkswagen employees, together with the Volkswagen Group Works Council, have been supporting projects for children and young people worldwide for 25 years. In cooperation with Terre des Hommes sustainable opportunities for young people are being promoted.
More about the program