Programmes
Bahia Street’s mission is to break cycles of poverty and violence through quality education for poor young women and girls in Brazil. Outside of Brazil, we teach new perspectives on NGO management and issues of inequality, poverty, race, class and gender.
>More on our programmes in Brazil
>More on our programmes outside Brazil
In Brazil, Bahia Street provides a well-rounded education to fifty girls as a supplement to their attendance at local public schools. Girls spend at least four hours a day at the Bahia Street Centre, where they receive instruction in all basic subjects as well as in health and reproduction, art, and leadership skills. For many girls, the Bahia Street Centre represents the only place where they can eat a hot meal, take a shower, and receive positive encouragement from adult role models.
Accomplishments
Bahia Street proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary in Fall 2006. Three of our first students are now studying in university: Juliana, Daza, and now Aquataluxe. Juliana, one of Bahia Street’s original students, was orphaned as a young child. Her sister, who raised her, survived by selling pizzas on the street. Despite her difficult circumstances, Juliana has shown tremendous determination and success. In 2005, Juliana became the first alumna of Bahia Street to pass the Vestibular for entrance to university. She also received a coveted scholarship to cover all costs. Daza and Aquataluxe soon followed suit. All three young women return to the Bahia Street Centre to mentor the younger girls.
An early photo of Juliana, Bahia Street’s first student to attend university.
The Bahia Street Centre
Bahia Street started in a room generously loaned by the local Teacher’s Federation. When the programme grew, it became necessary to rent a building in the centre of Salvador, easily accessible by bus to all the shantytown neighbourhoods. In late 2003, Bahia Street bought a building in Salvador, which was completely renovated. The students and staff moved into the new Bahia Street Centre in February 2005. Further renovations have been made, and the final level and roof were completed by the start of school in February 2007.
Painting the renovated Bahia Street Centre
