Women’s and youth empowerment initiatives in churches across North-Eastern Brazil

BRAZIL

Revd Eliane Vieira leads women’s economic empowerment initiatives in Caaporã, Brazil, for some of the poorest women in her local community, whilst Recife Cathedral’s youth ministry is collaborating with dioceses nationwide to hold a National Youth Gathering in September 2015. 

Christina Manning reports from her visit to the Church in Brazil

Igreja Boas Novas

In partnership with SADD, Igreja Boas Novas (Church of the Good News) runs multiple meetings each week to bring women together for training, discussions and Bible studies.  Bi-weekly training sessions allow the women to learn new skills to earn extra income for their households.

Women's economic empowerment in BrazilRevd Eliane said, “We are the only church in the area that runs social projects, and we have found this is a great way to build partnerships with people in the community and empower women and families.  This has opened up doors for us – it is not only Anglicans who come to our meetings now, and we are building good relationships with other churches.”

Igreja Boas Noves has a good relationship with the local Catholic Church, and they regularly run events together.  Every year in March the churches join together to ‘Walk for Peace’, each year under a different theme.  This year’s theme is ‘Por Caaporã Mais Humana’ (More Human [rights] For Caaporã).

SADD is also working closely with the church to set up a centre for vulnerable women and victims of gender-based violence.

Catedral Anglicana da Santíssima Trindade

Youth at Recife Cathedral BrazilYoung people at Catedral Anglicana da Santíssima Trindade (Holy Trinity Cathedral) in the Diocese of Recife, Brazil, are working hard towards their Econtro Nacional de Juventude Episcopal Anglicana (National Youth Gathering) in September this year.

Dioceses are already holding events in the build up to the gathering, to mobilise young Anglicans and look ahead to their time together.

Despite challenges, a new youth leadership team is taking on the task of building up their young people and thinking about how they can work better together.  They are hoping to see collaboration in youth work across the country, and inspire young people to become leaders both inside the church and in outreach and social projects.

See more at http://www.ujab.ieab.org.br/

Pictured

Middle: Women from Igreja Boas Novas learn to make snacks to sell in the community;
Bottom: Christina Manning, Communications and Learning Manager for the Anglican Alliance, with the youth team at Catedral Anglicana da Santíssima Trindade. 

 

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